Importing keyhole methods to the UK

Prostate Research Campaign UK has awarded a grant of £12,500 to 34 year old Dr Declan Cahill MBBS, MSc, FRCS, who will be undertaking a Clinical Fellowship in Laparoscopic Urology in Paris for six months between September 2002 and March 2003.  Dr Cahill will be attached to the Department of Urology, Institut Montsouris, University Pierre et Marie Curie where he will be working under Professor Guy Vallancien.

Prof Vallancien has pioneered the use of laparoscopic - through a telescope - surgery for removal of the prostate for men with prostate cancer.  This technique is still in its infancy, but the results look very promising and match the more common procedure which involves a cut in the lower abdomen during an operation lasting one or two hours.

As laparoscopic - keyhole - surgery involves only having to make a small incision, patients suffer less pain and are able to return home sooner.

Dr Cahill will assist Professor Valencien in a number of operations during his six month stay.  He expects to be one of the first to bring this new technique to the UK.  This grant from Prostate Research Campaign UK will not only enable Dr Cahill to be trained.  It will also permit his experience to be passed on to others upon his return as such experience is extremely limited in the UK.