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Uro-Technology Journal: past and future in urology
* Corresponding author: Francesco Greco
Mailing address: Urology Unit, Centro Salute Uomo, Bergamo
24122, Italy.
Email: francesco_greco@ymail.com
Received: 20 June 2022 / Accepted: 22 June 2022 / Published: 28 June 2022
DOI: 10.31491/UTJ.2022.06.001
In the last decade, we have assisted in the introduction
of new technologies in the medical area and the development of tailored, patient-specific therapeutical strategies
to improve oncologic and functional outcomes respecting
the quality of life for patients [1]. Innovations have also
characterized urology, with the application of new optical technology and robotics to surgery. The era of the Da
Vinci system® (Intuitive Surgical) as one competitor for
robotic surgery has been recently interrupted by the introduction of 2 new robots such as HUGO™ (Medtronic)
and VERSIUS (CMR surgical). The end of this monopoly
can represent a chance for new challenges for developing
new technologies in robotic surgery which could further
reduce surgical trauma and improve surgical outcomes.
At the same time, new molecular imaging technologies,
including image-fusion devices and image-augmented
navigation, have been developed and proposed for application in the surgical field. During these procedures,
preoperative CT or MRI scans can be arranged into 3D
images and linked to sensors that track the position of surgical instrumentation, in real-time, relative to the elaborated images [2, 3]. In this way, it is possible to help the
surgeon to identify anatomic and vascular structures by
superimposing the formatted images on a video-assisted
view of the operative field (i.e. during laparoscopic or
robotic procedures), or by co-registering these images
with other imaging modalities and fusing them into one
augmented compound image, with the aim of improving
surgical accuracy [2]. If in a recent past we have focused
our research to reduce the surgical trauma for the patients,
actually mostly efforts are addressed to improve surgical precision integrating robotic procedures with imaging
technologies.
This has been translated into the development of threedimensional (3D) models derived from radiological images to help the surgeon to have a detailed preoperative
understanding of the surgical anatomy of the patient, thus
improving surgical precision and outcomes [4].
In order to gain the best result, a multidisciplinary approach is fundamental, and this orchestra should include
a strict collaboration between radiologists, urologists, and
bioengineers. Once the 3D models have been elaborated,
they can be printed and integrated into augmented reality
procedures, thus helping the surgeon in surgical strategies
by preoperative identification of anatomic anomalies and
tumor characteristics. Furthermore, they can also be used
in surgical training and patient counseling. Finally, the
3D models and augmented reality could be integrated into
robotic technologies to improve surgical outcomes and
reduce intraoperative complications.
As occurred in the therapy of oncologic diseases, new
technologies have also been proposed for the treatment
of urologic benign diseases. Some years ago, it could be
considered an imaginative the idea to treat benign prostate
hyperplasia in an outpatient setting. The introduction of
new surgical devices such as REZUM, UROLIFT, I-TIND
and prostatic artery embolization, has turned this idea into
reality, reducing hospitalization, complications’ rate, convalescence and improving patients’ quality of life [5]. The
future is now and surgical technologies are growing more
and more towards micro-invasive and precision surgery to
maximize sparing surgery in respect of the quality of life
of the patient.
URO-TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL (UTJ) is a new open
access, peer-reviewed, international journal which emphasizes the basic and clinical research relevant to all urologic
diseases, the novel technological developments in the field
of urology and their application in clinical practice. The
diagnosis, therapy, epidemiology, prevention, biomarkers, pathology and surgical innovations (such as artificial
intelligence, augmented reality and mini-invasive surgery)
in urology are included but not limited to the scope of this
journal. The aim of this journal is represented by a wide
range of urological issues such as oncology, functional
urology, reconstructive urology, andrology, sexual medicine, laparoscopy, robotic surgery, endourology and surgical technologies.
All the Editorial Board of UTJ, including renowned urologists in the field of new technologies, will engage to
guarantee to the readers to be always updated with new
surgical innovations in urology but also supply an accurate analysis of urologic topics which could help our daily
activity.
Declarations
Authors’ contributions
The author contributed solely to the article.
Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.
Financial support and sponsorship
None.
Conflicts of interest
Francesco Greco is a member of the Editorial Board of Uro-Technology Journal. The author declares no conflict of interest.
Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
References
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