For its 22nd Annual Meeting, the EAU Robotic Urology Section is returning to London for the first time since 2012. Mr. Ben Challacombe (London, GB), on behalf of the four participating robotic centres in London and the Local Organising Committee, gives a sneak preview of the upcoming meeting.
New platforms
“It’s great to be able to showcase both new robotic surgical techniques and new robotic platforms in the same dynamic meeting,” says Mr. Challacombe. He reflects on the great diversity of new surgical platforms that are making their way in to operating theatres around Europe:
“The majority of the live surgical cases at ERUS25 will be performed with Intuitive’s widely adopted Da Vinci systems, but a significant number will be performed with Medtronic’s Hugo RAS system and the new Da Vinci Single Port device. We also look forward to live cases that demonstrate the CMR Versius, the Edge and Toumai robots and the SS Mantra. I think delegates who are exploring options for their centres will a unique opportunity to compare platforms during the meeting.”
New platforms lead to new applications and new surgical approaches, several of which are featured in the ERUS25 Scientific Programme. Mr. Challacombe:
“We will be demonstrating some emerging surgical approaches such as the low anterior approach using the Single Port robot, and the retroperitoneal approach with the HUGO RAS. We are showing a huge range of operations including reconstructive techniques with buccal mucosal grafts, pelvic prolapse repair, and renal transplantation as well as the standard prostate and kidney operations with the different robots.”
Beyond surgical robots, the programme features the use of complementary technologies such as 3D modelling, new instrumentation, NeuroSAFE frozen section, as well as the more standard use of ICG and intraoperative ultrasound imaging.
Unique collaboration in London
Four local hospitals are working together to host the live surgery component of the Scientific Programme. Operating theatres in Mr. Challacombe’s department at Guy’s Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, London Bridge Hospital and University College Hospital are all hosting visiting surgeons. The line-up will be further enhanced with participating centres from around the world, transmitting live into the three-screen theatre set-up at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
“Our four centres are already used to working well together as we are all part of the NHS,” Mr. Challacombe explains. “Surgeon accreditation is always tricky in the UK but we are on track and enjoying the challenge of putting this exciting meeting together.”
“With the legacy of John Wickham, London can claim to be one of the birthplaces of robotic surgery. He worked on the earliest robotic surgical systems and was the initiator of the phrase ‘minimally-invasive surgery’. We feel London will be a highly attractive host city with a very centrally placed congress centre at Westminster, a vibrant social programme and the opportunity to explore this diverse and historic city.”
“All in all, ERUS25 is shaping up to be the most wide-ranging and complete robotic urology meeting we’ve ever hosted. With more systems, a wider range of operations, and more procedures than ever before, ERUS25 is right at the cutting edge of robotic innovation.”
“Whether you are a urological resident, a nursing and allied health colleague or a consultant surgeon, we will educate and excite you with our scientific programme. You are very welcome in London and we look forward to seeing you this summer.”
