USC Urology led a recent urology symposium at the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Center, located in Mumbai.

Building on its relationship with the Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Center located in Mumbai, USC Urology led an international urology symposium at the hospital Feb. 20-21. The symposium focused on advances in robotic surgery for urology cases and featured live surgeries, case study presentations and lectures.

During one of the live surgeries, Inderbir S. Gill, MD, founding executive director of the USC Institute of Urology, performed a partial nephrectomy to remove a cancerous tumor on a patient’s kidney. Prior to the surgery, Gill and his team utilized a 3-D printed model of the patient’s kidney to prepare for the complexities of the procedure.

“Such 3-D models help us to explain the nuances of the surgery to the patient,” Gill explained. “Also, junior surgeons and students learn better. We have also developed a simulator, which is patient-specific, that allows the doctor to operate on the 3-D model before operating on the real organ.”

The conference was chaired by Gill, who was accompanied by Monish Aron, MD, professor of clinical urology and co-director of robotic surgery and advanced laparoscopy at the USC Institute of Urology. A total of 20 national and international faculty members spoke at the seminar.

“Cases of urological cancers, especially prostate cancer, are on the rise in India,” said Gustad Daver, MD, medical director, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital. “Robotic surgery has revolutionized minimal access surgery, especially in the field of urology. Working with USC Urology to offer this international symposium is our effort to bring the best international practices to Mumbai for citizens of India.”

by Sara Reeve