The international course of endoscopic urological surgery, organized by the Clinic for Urology of the Military Medical Academy, the company Boston Scientific and VICOR, was held on September 20 and 21, 2022 at the MMA.

The course participants were welcomed to the MMA by the head of the Group of Surgical Clinics of the MMA Col prof. Dr. Boban Đorđević and he pointed out that it was a special pleasure to see the MMA again in the role of an international educational center. As he said, "MMA has always found its place in the wider context of international cooperation, but it is once again a great honor when under our roof ideas and attitudes are exchanged and inspiration for new standards is found in practice." He also noted that through enthusiasm, dedication and the desire for the knowledge of urologists of the MMA reflects the high expectations of all employees of the MMA and at the same time emphasized the pride that they are the initiators of the exchange of experience, recognized beyond the borders of our country.

Professor Vladimir Bančević, PhD, in front of the Urology Clinic of the MMA, welcomed the participants from other health institutions in the country, from Republika Srpska, North Macedonia and Montenegro. He emphasized that all participants would be able to use the knowledge from the course in their daily urological practice with the aim of improving the quality of work.

The two-day training consisted of a part of theory and exercises on models, while the second day was dedicated to demonstration operating procedures. Lectures on preoperative preparation, recommendations, devices, endoscopic techniques, but also post-operative care and potential complications were held by Lt Col Dr. Mirko Jovanović and Lt Col. Dr. Dejan Simić from the Clinic for Urology of the MMA with the director of the Endourological Center in Tel Aviv, Israel prof. Dr. Mario Sofera.

Endoscopic stone breaking operations in the urinary tract are performed under general anesthesia without an incision, during which special instruments are used to enter the urinary tract, the stone is broken by a specific energy source (in this case, a laser), after which the patient's recovery is faster with fewer chances of complications. All participants had the opportunity to be involved in every part of the minimally invasive procedure in the operating room and receive answers to all questions, dilemmas, doubts in order to improve their skills in the field of laser surgery.

The clinic for urology of the MMA started endoscopic procedures in the treatment of calculus back in 2006 as the first state health institution. The international course was a way to effectively exchange knowledge, which can overcome dilemmas in clinical practice in other healthcare institutions, as well as potential organizational problems in everyday work.