Outcomes of European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (EBLUS) Examinations: Results from European School of Urology (ESU) and EAU Section of Uro-Technology (ESUT) over 6 Years (2013-2018).

BACKGROUND: The European School of Urology (ESU) and EAU Section of Uro-Technology (ESUT) started hands-on-training (HOT) sessions in 2007 along with structured European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (EBLUS) examinations in 2013. EBLUS includes an online theoretical course, HOT by expert tutors on a set of dry-lab exercises, and finally a standardised examination for skill assessment and certification. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the results and predictors of success from the EBLUS examinations that were conducted during the European Urology Residents Education Programme (EUREP) and other international and national dedicated ESU events. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: ESU has been delivering EBLUS courses and examinations over the past 6 yr (2013-2018) in more than 40 countries worldwide. Trainees were asked about their laparoscopic background (procedures assisted/performed) and about the availability of HOT or simulator/box trainer in their facility. Apart from the online theoretical course, 4 HOT tasks [(1) peg transfer, (2) pattern cutting, (3) single knot tying, and (4) clip and cut] with its quality assessment of depth perception, bimanual dexterity, and efficiency were a part of the assessment and were considered critical to pass the EBLUS examination. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 875 EBLUS examinations were delivered (EUREP, n=385; other ESU events, n=490), with complete data available for 533 (61%) participants among which 295 (55%) passed the examinations. Pass rate increased on a yearly basis from 35% to 70% (p<0.001) and was similar between EUREP (56%) and other ESU/ESUT events (55%). The significant predictors of success were passing tasks 1 [odds ratio (OR): 869.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 89.6-8449.0, p<0.001] and 2 (OR: 3045.0, 95% CI: 99.2-93 516.2, p<0.001) of the examinations. A limitation of EBLUS was its inability to provide more advanced training such as wet-lab or cadaveric training. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past few years more trainees have passed the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (EBLUS) examinations. Trainees who spend more time on laparoscopic procedures demonstrated a better performance and pass rate. We found almost no difference between the EBLUS results collected from EUREP and other ESU/ESUT events, which confirms the robustness of the training and examinations conducted worldwide. PATIENT SUMMARY: Training in laparoscopy helps trainees pass the European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (EBLUS) examinations, reflected by an increase in the pass rate over the past 6 yr. Our results also confirm the robustness of EBLUS training and examinations worldwide.

The European Urology Residents Education Programme Hands-on Training Format: 4 Years of Hands-on Training Improvements from the European School of Urology.

BACKGROUND: The European School of Urology (ESU) started the European Urology Residents Education Programme (EUREP) in 2003 for final year urology residents, with hands-on training (HOT) added later in 2007. OBJECTIVE: To assess the geographical reach of EUREP, trainee demographics, and individual quality feedback in relation to annual methodology improvements in HOT. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: From September 2014 to October 2017 (four EUREP courses) several new features have been applied to the HOT format of the EUREP course: 1:1 training sessions (2015), fixed 60-min time slots (2016), and standardised teaching methodology (2017). The resulting EUREP HOT format was verified by collecting and prospectively analysing the following data: total number of participants attending different HOT courses; participants' age; country of origin; and feedback obtained annually. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 796 participants from 54 countries participated in 1450 HOT sessions over the last 4 yr. This included 294 (20%) ureteroscopy (URS) sessions, 237 (16.5%) transurethral resection (TUR) sessions, 840 (58%) basic laparoscopic sessions, and 79 (5.5%) intermediate laparoscopic sessions. While 712 residents (89%) were from Europe, 84 (11%) were from non-European nations. Of the European residents, most came from Italy (16%), Germany (15%), Spain (15%), and Romania (8%). Feedback for the basic laparoscopic session showed a constant improvement in scores over the last 4 yr, with the highest scores achieved last year. This included feedback on improvements in tutor rating (p=0.017), organisation (p<0.001), and personal experience with EUREP (p<0.001). Limitations lie in the difficulties associated with the use of an advanced training curriculum with wet laboratory or cadaveric courses in this format, although these could be performed in other training centres in conjunction with EUREP. CONCLUSIONS: The EUREP trainee demographics show that the purpose of the course is being achieved, with excellent feedback reported. While European trainees dominate the demographics, participation from a number of non-European countries suggests continued ESU collaboration with other national societies and wider dissemination of simulation training worldwide. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this paper we look at methodological improvements and feedback for the European Urology Residents Education Programme hands-on-training over the last 4 yr.

Pharmacotherapy for prostate cancer, with emphasis on hormonal treatments.

For more than half a century, hormonal therapy has been one of the cornerstones of prostate cancer therapy. However, the position and timing of androgen deprivation therapy is continuously challenged. Nowadays, it is often combined with other types of treatment in a multi-modal approach, especially with radiation therapy. Besides the well-known luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonists, several developments have been introduced (e.g., luteinising hormone-releasing hormone antagonists or improved depot formulations achieving a better pharmacokinetic slope and lower testosterone levels). Research developments include a better understanding of the different gonadotropin-releasing hormone isoforms, the ligand-independent transformation of the androgen receptor and androgen receptor overexpression in hormone-insensitive disease. Prostate cancer, previously thought to be chemotherapy insensitive, is now treated at the metastatic stage by taxane-based chemotherapies. The combination of hormonal therapy and chemotherapy is currently studied at various stages of the disease, as early as localised or locally advanced prostate cancer. It is very likely that, in the future, pharmacological treatment for prostate cancer will include combination therapies rather than monotherapies. The authors suggest an in-depth re-evaluation of the place of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer.

How do I treat and follow my TUNA patients.

Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) of the prostate is an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) generating temperatures around 100 degrees C leading to necrotic lesions inside the prostate. TUNA is a minimally invasive, low morbidity associated, approach that uses radiofrequency energy. The needles are covered by teflon shields that protect the urethra from thermal injury. Since the introduction of TUNA, there has been a constant upgrading of the device to improve treatment quality. The main advantage of this therapy is the possibility of an outpatient care due to its anaesthesia-free option with a prostatic block. Catheterisation after the procedure is required in 10-40% of cases. Long-term data (5 years) on TUNA demonstrate a sustained improvement of both IPSS score and urinary flow. About a quarter of patients require further intervention at 5 years' follow-up. The safety profile, along with the significant improvement in both objective and subjective parameters observed after TUNA, makes it an attractive approach for symptomatic BPH.