2nd Annual Sunshine Uro-Oncology Symposium

Thank you so much for hosting the delegation of faculty from Urological oncology at Emory for the Sunshine Symposium and pre-symposium robotic surgery course.

It was inspiring to visit the Surgical Simulation Center at Koç University — which is probably the best equipped, university-based surgical simulation and robotics learning center that I have seen in my 30 years as a urological oncology faculty member.

It was tremendous to meet the numerous stellar Koç University faculty members who lectured at the Symposium, and to learn about differences and similarities in approaches to urological cancer care between Turkey and the US. I hope we can continue and expand mutual collaborations in learning!

I participated as an instructor in the Management of Complications in Robotic & Laparoscopic Urology and Minimally Invasive Partial Nephrectomy course held at the Istanbul Rahmi M. Koç Academy of Interventional Medicine Education and Simulation (RMK AIMES) Center on October 3–4, 2024, under the chairmanship of Prof. A. Erdem Canda.

On the first day, we discussed the management of complications in robotic and laparoscopic surgery with experienced faculty from General Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery, and Anesthesia & Reanimation, using real cases. This session was very productive, especially for the trainees.

On the second day, I instructed Dr. Ozan Yurdakul and Dr. Katharina Oberneder, second-year residents from the Urology Clinic of the Medical University of Vienna. After demonstrating laparoscopic entry techniques on the porcine model, they personally performed laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy with renal parenchyma suturing, laparoscopic uretero-ureterostomy, and repair of colon, bladder, and vessel injuries. Both trainees then performed similar operations on the porcine model using the Da Vinci X robotic platform under my supervision.

I believe that RMK AIMES is one of the best centers in the world for robotic and laparoscopic surgery training. The participants who received training here are very lucky. I would like to thank Prof. A. Erdem Canda, Prof. Dr. Yakup Kordan, and all the staff who helped us in every aspect of this perfectly organized course.

Recently, we had the privilege of attending the laparoscopy course hosted by RMK AIMES in Istanbul, where we gained hands-on experience performing laparoscopic total/partial nephrectomy on pig models. This experience was not only educational but also transformative for all participants. We also had a great chance to perform robotic-assisted laparoscopic interventions including partial nephrectomy, kidney parenchyma suturing, and uretero-ureterostomy. On the robotic platform, we felt the comfort of performing surgery with 3D images.

The use of live pig models provided a realistic and highly effective environment for practicing advanced surgical techniques. Under the expert guidance of Prof. Altuğ Tuncel, we were able to perform the procedures in a controlled setting, enhancing both our technical skills and understanding of the nuances involved in pure laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic kidney surgeries.

In addition to hands-on training, the course featured in-depth discussions on complications led by specialists in the field. These sessions offered a comprehensive overview of potential intraoperative and postoperative challenges and the diverse management strategies employed by experts. The multidisciplinary approach broadened our perspective and enriched our decision-making in complex surgical scenarios.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the organizers and faculty members who made this course such a success. The welcoming atmosphere in the beautiful city of Istanbul and the highly professional environment at RMK AIMES further enriched our experience. The lessons learned will undoubtedly enhance our professional growth and, most importantly, improve the care we provide to our patients.

I thank you for giving me the privilege to participate in the robotic course at RMK AIMES. I advise many doctors to recognize this experience at RMK AIMES.

I admired the organization and hands-on training on the robot, and the skills that I gained — dissection of renal hilum, partial nephrectomy, uretero-ureteral anastomosis, and uretero-vesical anastomosis. This will add beneficial consequences to my long-term career.

I thank Dr. A. Erdem Canda for his continuous support and his efforts to succeed the RMK AIMES Centre as a reference for Robotic Urological surgery training.