International endourology conference in Chisinau: european standards and innovations in minimally invasive treatment

Urologists from all over the country gathered at the first international conference in the field of endourology. The scientific event with the generic title "Endourology without borders: European standards, real progress" brought together world-renowned prominent figures in the field of modern urology and minimally invasive surgery, including: University Professors Viorel Jinga and Gheorghe Bumbu (Romania), Laurian Dragos, Consultant Urologist (Great Britain), University Professors Emil Ceban and Ion Dumbraveanu, Associate Professor Andrei Galescu, President of the Association of Urologists of Moldova, and others.

In his opening remarks, Health Minister Emil Ceban has noted that the scientific event focuses on innovations in the diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of urological diseases. "As Minister of Health, but also as a urologist, I believe that the development of endourology represents one of the strategic directions of modern medicine. The accelerated evolution of minimally invasive technologies, the implementation of digital platforms, the improvement of endoscopic techniques and the continuous progress of technologically assisted surgery are profoundly transforming the way we approach urological pathology and patient care," the official stated.

He has emphasized that today, endourology is no longer just a high-performance surgical subspecialty, but a model of modern medicine – precise, safe, personalized and oriented towards patient rapid recovery and life quality. "In this context, our responsibility is to ensure equitable access to innovation, to implement European standards of diagnosis and treatment and to support the continuous training of specialists," Emil Ceban noted.

University Professor Ion Dumbraveanu, head of the Department of Urology and Surgical Nephrology of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, has underscored that "endourology without borders" involves applying the same methods and standards, so that patients benefit from the same treatment and quality medical care. In this context, the professor highlighted the support offered by fellow professionals from Romania in the development of the field in the Republic of Moldova and expressed his gratitude to them for their contribution to the progress of endourology and medical collaboration between the two countries.

"The presence of a large number of young people at the conference demonstrates the real interest in this field of medicine," specified Professor Gheorghe Bumbu, highlighting the importance of dialogue, exchange of ideas and experiences between participants, and the benefit for patients - our only judges to whom we owe all our science and conscience.

Professor Adrian Tanase, one of the luminaries of modern urology in the Republic of Moldova, noted that the activity of the urology service in the country experienced a vertiginous growth in recent years: the Republic of Moldova tends to align with European Union standards, including in reference medical fields. Over the years, urologists have implemented the most complex methods of diagnosis and treatment, the new generation of doctors representing the hope and continuity of the domain.

In other news, Andrei Uncuta, director of Timofei Mosneaga Republican Clinical Hospital, has mentioned that the Urology, Dialysis and Renal Transplant Clinic constitutes an example of efficient collaboration in carrying out both clinical and training activities, with academic staff also holding administrative positions within the medical and health institution. He has stressed that the hospital is a multipurpose one, where patients with serious conditions are treated, while the University offers support in this regard. At the same time, the manager highlighted the need for additional investments, especially for the implementation of modern technologies in urology.

According to Laurean Dragos, urologist and researcher at Cambridge University Hospital, endourology constitutes one of the most technical and technologically advanced branches of urology, being considered the most state-of-the-art in modern surgery, including through the integration of robotic surgery technologies. In this context, the expert emphasized the role of the middle generation, which takes over the experience of mentors and has the responsibility to pass it on to young specialists, thus contributing to the continuous development of urology.

For two days (May 22 and 23), urologists and residents participated in thematic sessions and lectures delivered by international experts, round tables, pre-recorded surgical demonstrations and debates dedicated to the most current topics in endourology. During the scientific forum, participants addressed topics such as: modern management of urinary lithiasis, the use of state-of-the-art laser technologies, the development of flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy, minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and current approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract tumors.

The conference was organized by the Department of Urology and Surgical Nephrology of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, the Society of Urologists of Moldova and the European Association of Urology.