Dr. Lucente (fifth person from the left) with the physicians he trained
Minimally invasive surgery for pelvic organ prolapse taught in Australia
June 1, 2004
A new minimally invasive surgery technique, called Prolift, offers excellent long-term results for women with pelvic organ prolapse. The surgery was introduced in the U.S. by internationally recognized urogynecologist Vincent Lucente, MD at the Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery. In February 2005 Dr. Lucente became the first specialist in the world to offer patients the final version of this advanced treatment that uses a synthetic mesh to support pelvic organs that have “dropped out” of their normal position.For a week in June, Dr. Lucente traveled to Australia to introduce this new surgical procedure. Australia is the world's smallest continent but the sixth-largest country. Its population is 19.5 million. In Australia the responsibilities for healthcare are divided between the federal and state governments, and both the public and the private sectors play a role. The major teaching hospitals have significant research profiles and the care is first-rate at these facilities and in the suburban and rural hospitals. The medical community is recognized as innovators in care.
But the biggest attraction of Australia is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from sun-baked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of the outdoors. It is the sheer vastness of the geography that gives Australia - and its diverse population - much of its character.
Experiencing much of the geography during his five days in Australia, Dr. Lucente traveled to four hospitals, located in three cities, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney. He performed 12 Prolift procedures, training 32 physicians from five states throughout Australia and two physicians who traveled from Singapore.
“Teaching abroad is one of the things I enjoy most.” remarked Dr. Lucente. “It is always so interesting to teach and mentor physicians from different cultures. You learn the things that we all have in common and also appreciate our different approaches to medicine and surgery. My experience and methodology of teaching allow me to act as a ”surgical coach” and mentor to these physicians and I am proud when I think of all the women that these 34 doctors will now be able to help.”