Urology

The Urology Research Group is dedicated to advancing knowledge of urological diseases and disorders, with a focus on urological malignancies, functional urology, stone disease, pediatric urology, renal transplantation, and reconstructive surgery. The team, composed of expert clinicians, conducts innovative studies and clinical trials to improve patient outcomes and develop new treatments. Most research topics are clinical, with a special interest in technological advances, rare urological diseases, and biomarkers.

Main lines of research

• Urological cancer: liquid biopsy in urothelial and prostate cancer, focal treatment of prostate cancer, lymph node enhancement techniques in prostate and upper urinary tract disease, intraoperative tumor grade detection using confocal endomicroscopy, the role of systemic chemotherapy in upper urinary tract tumors, PET-CT in renal masses, and 3D reconstruction to facilitate complex renal surgery. (Breda, Alberto).
• Testicular and penile cancer: minimally invasive surgery with robotic retroperitoneal dissection in metastatic disease, diagnostic improvement using sentinel node techniques in penile cancer, and reconstructive surgery after partial penectomy and laparoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy. (Breda, Alberto).
• Bladder cancer: predictive biomarkers of progression in NMIBC in collaboration with the Inflammatory Diseases Group and Malmö University, evaluation of new drugs (durvalumab, sansalimab, vedotin enfortumab, etc.), bladder preservation in high-grade tumors, robotic nerve-sparing surgery in cystectomy and neobladder reconstruction, robotic retroperitoneal surgery in testicular cancer, and reconstructive surgery. (Palou, Joan).
• Digital health and telemedicine in uro-oncology. (Urology Group).
• Pediatric urology: long-term follow-up in reconstructive surgery, sexual function in neurological diseases, fertility after scrotal surgery, botulinum toxin in pediatric overactive bladder, urinary pH studies in urinary tract anomalies, optimization of irrigation fluids to prevent perioperative hypothermia, and autologous fat grafts with stem cells in complex abdominal wall defects. (Bujons, Anna).
• Urolithiasis: laser devices for stone destruction (holmium, thulium, and super thulium); primary hyperparathyroidism; cystinuria management; genetic studies in collaboration with IDIBELL; participation in the National Registry of this rare disease; and the application of artificial intelligence for stone composition recognition during endoscopic surgery. (Angerri, Oriol).
• Functional urology: evaluation of surgical techniques and devices for urinary incontinence, functional outcomes of Botox in men, transcavernous artificial urinary sphincter, probiotics, and urinary acidification in recurrent urinary tract infections, and clinical evaluation and quality-of-life tools in lower urinary tract dysfunction. (Errando, Carlos).
• Renal transplantation: 3D reconstruction models to optimize renal transplantation and kidney preservation, implementation of robotic renal transplantation in Europe, and analysis of urogenital tumors in renal transplant recipients. (Breda, Alberto).
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery: preservation of antegrade ejaculation using different surgical techniques (TURP, Rezum); evaluation of the Rezum system, quality of life after urethroplasty, use of oral mucosa in urethroplasty, national urethroplasty registry, and international prospective studies on prostate inflammation and quality of life. (Ponce de León, José).
• Clinical coordination and management of clinical trials and individual departmental studies. (Gallioli, Andrea; Muñoz, Vanessa; Palomino, Ana).

Scientific Challenges

• To continue the national and international positions to increase the scientific networking of the department.
• Participate and evolve in the elaboration of European guidelines.
• Continue in basic and clinical research of the different established areas.
• Development of the research and innovation line on digital health and telemedicine in urology.
• Continue and improve relations with industry (pharmaceuticals, medical device industries, and biotechnology companies) to be upfront in the development of new compounds and surgical techniques.

Contact

Palou Redorta, Juan F. 
jpalou@fundacio-puigvert.es