Mr Golash was invited to present his experience of laparoscopic (keyhole) partial nephrectomy (removal of part of the kidney) at a national meeting of urologists on 4/2/2012. Despite the thickening snowfall many Doctors stayed at the meeting solely to hear Mr Golash speak. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, which is often performed to remove small kidney tumours, is an alternative to total removal of the kidney. However, it is a very demanding procedure that few surgeons can perform safely. Mr Golash and Mr Luscombe are amongst a small number of Urological surgeons in the UK who regularly perform this surgery with good presented outcomes.

Mr Anurag Golash was invited to address the British Association of Day Surgery meeting in Grimsby on 26/01/2012. He presented his world leading experience of performing laparoscopic (keyhole) kidney surgery (nephrectomy and pyeloplasty) as a daycase.

Staffordshire Urology Clinic Consultant Surgeon Lyndon Gommersall made the Weekend Sentinel for his development of keyhole bladder cancer surgery and enhanced recovery (view article) in Staffordshire. The article describes the advances achieved in terms of time in hospital after Laparoscopic Cystectomy. On average patients after keyhole surgery will go home 8 days after their surgery, most will be home within a week. They also have significant benefits with an earlier return to work and less requirement for painkillers. By prescribing the recovery of patients after surgery patients drink fluids in recovery, walk one day after surgery and eat food on day three. The article also highlights local excellence in keyhole cancer surgery (Laparoscopic surgery) for prostate, kidney and bladder cancer.

Mr Golash and Mr Luscombe are amongst the authors of an article titled “Routine day-case laparoscopic pyeloplasty: a paradigm shift?” in the respected Journal of Endourology. This article, first published in May 2011, discusses the authors pioneering experience of performing Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty on patients who come in, and then go home on the same day as their major operation. They show that it is safe and discuss the benefits for the patient and hospital.

A presentation based on a new way of investigating prostate cancer using MRI won best paper award at the Midlands Urology Club annual meeting at Old Hall, Sutton Coldfield in October 2011. This new pathway for diagnosing prostate cancer in difficult cases has been devised by our surgeons over the last couple of years. Encouraging results, and a good presentation by trainee Urologist Sam Grimsley, led to the judges awarding the work the top prize.

The team were also selected to present their experience of Keyhole removal of part of the kidney (partial nephrectomy), which is a very demanding operation, and one that only a handful of major centres in the United Kingdom regularly perform. The results of this surgery were warmly received and applauded.

On 11th October the Staffordshire Urology group held a GP education evening at the North Staffordshire Nuffield Hospital. Christopher Luscombe gave a lecture on testicular swellings, including cancer, followed by prostate cancer, with particular reference to PSA and screening. Lyndon Gommersall talked on the subject of erectile dysfunction and Samson Liu then chaired a lively “ask the expert” session. It is hoped that this will become a regular event.

On 29th September Christopher Luscombe attended a Men’s Health meeting at the village hall at Madeley. Over 50 patients attended this event to listen to a lecture on subjects such as prostate enlargement and cancer, testicular swellings and erectile dysfunction. Afterwards there was a lively questions and answers session.

Mr Golash and Mr Luscombe are amongst several authors that publish an article in the respected Journal of Endourology. The article entitled “An objective scoring system for laparoscopic nephrectomy” was published in the September 2011 edition of the Journal (pages 1497-502). It discusses a scoring system for assessing trainee surgeon’s surgical skills when learning keyhole kidney surgery.

Mr Gommersall delivered an informative talk to the Moorlands Cancer Support Group in Cheadle on 19th November 2011. This meeting was well attended and the interesting presentation provoked many questions.
Mr Gommersall talked widely about the excellent bladder cancer services available locally, and showed videos on photodynamic diagnosis and keyhole bladder removal. The central focus of Mr Gommersall’s patient care is to give patient information to enhance the patients understanding throughout their cancer journey.
The key message was that if blood is seen in the urine, medical advice should be sought from the GP and a referral to hospital should be made for further investigations, so that the possibility of bladder cancer can be investigated.