The VI International Symposium "Endourology and Minimally Invasive Surgery" was held in Sofia under the patronage of the Military Medical Academy-Sofia.
“After the success of the previous symposium and the positive response it had in the urological circles in Bulgaria and Europe, we again held a scientific event at a high scientific and educational level, with an innovative and up-to-date scientific program that presented the modern trends in endourology and non-invasive technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of urological diseases," Assoc. Dr. Ilia S altirov, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the event, told "Doctor".
The planned scientific program gave the participants of the symposium the opportunity to meet leading Bulgarian and European specialists, as well as to attend presentations and discussions on topics dedicated to modern scientific and technological achievements in endourology.
In addition, participants had the opportunity to observe live surgery sessions and real-time demonstration of modern endoscopic operations and treatment methods for upper and lower urinary tract diseases.
The demonstration operations were performed in the Integrated Operating Center of the Department of Urology and Nephrology of the Military Medical Academy - Sofia, with real-time audio-visual connection between the operating room and the congress hall.
“30 years ago, in March 1985, the first percutaneous intervention was performed in our country. Prof. Alexander Lilov, my teacher in endourology, and Prof. Nikolov are the two doctors who perform it. What is done all over the world can also be done in a Military Hospital", says endourologist Assoc. Dr. Iliya S altirov, head of the Department of "Urology and Nephrology" and the Clinic of Endourology at the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Associate Professor S altirov, what is the international symposium held for Bulgarian endourologists?
- Endourology is a narrow and innovative part of our activity, which uses the high technologies of medical technology and science to achieve results in the treatment of our patients without causing them the standard surgical trauma of the past. Different endoscopic surgery techniques are used for different urological diseases. In general, the idea is minimal trauma to the patient, quick recovery, short hospital stay, quick return to normal rhythm and way of living and working. Of course, this has its economic and social effect, and as far as we are concerned treating very often relapsing diseases, it is extremely important. Because in this way we preserve the organs and their functions. This allows us to do the best for our patients with minimal trauma and removal from their normal environment.
The international community, with its presence, highly appreciates the Bulgarian urological surgeons…
- We urologists are one big family. As we go to international forums, so our colleagues come, because it is amazing to have the opportunity to contact experts in a certain field who
share with us the best of their practice
This year the symposium was attended by 13 foreigners from 9 countries leading in urology - Prof. Dr. Kemal Sarika from Turkey is the chairman of the European Association of Urology. All of them are unique specialists, professionals, amazing people. Over the years, we built with them not only a professional, but also a purely human, personal friendship.
What is endourology to you?
- In surgery, operation time cannot be planned. The operation that we did with Prof. Sarika was planned for an hour and a half, but lasted more than two hours. This is also one of the challenges of this event, because in addition to the expert lectures, we also conducted real-time operations. We also have sessions where we train our young colleagues on simulators to perform such operations. This is also part of the training. As we discussed clinical cases. All aspects of practical and theoretical training that exist in modern urology, we gathered in these two days. Not all colleagues can go abroad, meet the big names - now here, in Sofia, they had this opportunity to do so.
Is there a change in this type of intervention?
- If the surgery we did today was open, with the old methods, the hospital stay is about 10 days,
and the recovery period is at least three months
Let's not comment on the trauma that is inflicted on the abdominal wall and the organ itself. While we performed the endourological intervention through a channel of 8 mm. Through it we directly penetrate to the place of the stone, destroyed it with ultrasound and cleaned the kidney. All the time we work under endoscopic monitor control. The patient's condition was very complicated, she had a severe inflammatory process, a large stone that impaired kidney function. By performing this operation in this way, we also preserved the little that remained he althy of this kidney to give the 44-year-old woman a chance to lead a normal life. In the Military Hospital we have all the modern tools and equipment, as well as conditions, to perform these operations as it is in the world.
Are our kidneys very sick, Assoc. S altirov?
- Unfortunately, in this part of Europe, urolithiasis is a chronic disease, with a very high recurrence rate. When we surgically remove a kidney stone, we do not remove the cause of its formation. Modern medicine still cannot specify the exact cause of the formation of the various types of stones. Prevention is necessary for this disease, a lot of he alth education, a total change in the way of life of Bulgarians. Operated, he thinks he is cured for life! However, 25% of them return to us again as patients.
