A team of researchers from the Medical University of Gdańsk – Prof. Rafał Dziadziuszko, Head of the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Prof. Marcin Matuszewski, Head of the Department of Urology, Katarzyna Matuszewska, M.D., Ph.D. from the Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, and Mikołaj Frankiewicz, M.D, Ph.D. from the Department of Urology – authored a scientific paper entitled Early Artificial Urinary Sphincter Implantation Prior to Salvage Radiotherapy: A Feasibility and Dosimetric Analysis.

The publication was recognised as the best among more than 30 abstracts presented during the Congress of the Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS), held in Minneapolis, USA.

The study presents an innovative approach to the treatment of stress urinary incontinence following radical prostatectomy. Traditionally, implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter is delayed until after completion of radiotherapy, if required due to biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following surgical treatment. The MUG research team proposed a novel approach, presenting the first publication to examine the impact of radiotherapy on the implant. The results confirmed the safety and feasibility of this method. Implementing this approach will allow patients to regain continence more rapidly and significantly improve their quality of life.

On behalf of the research team, the study was presented in Minneapolis by Mikołaj Frankiewicz, M.D, Ph.D., who was also invited by the congress organisers to join the Honoured Faculty and to deliver a lecture on the most advanced methods of treating male stress urinary incontinence.

The Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons (GURS) is an international association bringing together leading specialists in reconstructive surgery of the genitourinary system. The society’s annual congresses rank among the most prestigious global scientific events in this field.