Ep. 276 Understanding Medical Waste Management in Operating Rooms with Dr. Sunil Patel
Can we reduce OR waste without compromising patient care? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Sunil Patel (Johns Hopkins) joins host Dr. Ruchika Talwar (Vanderbilt) to explore strategies for improving environmental sustainability in surgical practice.
---
SYNPOSIS
They discuss the scope of OR-generated waste, the impact of plastics and carbon emissions, and emerging data linking environmental exposures to carcinogenesis. Dr. Patel highlights evidence supporting reusable vs. single-use instruments, shares examples of successful waste-reduction initiatives, and emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to make sustainable practices achievable across healthcare systems.
---
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction3:29 - Current State of OR Waste20:09 - Strategies to Reduce Waste24:52 - Impact of Climate Change on Patients33:55 - Future Directions40:27 - Conclusion
--------
45:00
--------
45:00
Ep. 275 NMIBC Tumor Board: Nuances in Management with Dr. Mark Tyson and Dr. Sarah Psutka
When standard therapy fails, it does not have to be the end of the road for high-risk bladder cancer patients. Modern treatments, biomarkers, and clinical studies have opened up new avenues for treating recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The penultimate episode of the 2025 NMIBC Creator Weekend™ series features urologic oncologists Dr. Vignesh Packiam, Dr. Mark Tyson, and Dr. Sarah Psutka discussing how they navigate complex bladder cancer scenarios.
---
This podcast is supported by:
Ferring Pharmaceuticalshttps://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N2165306.5658203BACKTABLE/B33008413.420220578;dc_trk_aid=612466359;dc_trk_cid=234162109;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=;gdpr=${GDPR};gdpr_consent=${GDPR_CONSENT_755};gpp=${GPP_STRING_755};gpp_sid=${GPP_SID};ltd=;dc_tdv=1
---
SYNPOSIS
The doctors share treatment strategies, staging processes, and post-therapy patient management techniques. They address recurrent disease, approaches to different stages of cancer, the role of biomarkers in determining treatment paths, and considerations for both high-risk and intermediate-risk patients. Additionally, the episode touches on new treatments, clinical trials, and patient quality of life post-treatment.
---
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction02:08 - Case Study: Initial Patient Assessment04:59 - Surgical Considerations and Techniques10:22 - Managing Bladder Cancer Recurrence11:15 - Treatment Options and Clinical Trials15:12 - Advanced Treatment Strategies28:14 - Closing Remarks and Credits
---
RESOURCES
VISTA Trial https://abstracts.mirrorsmed.org/abstracts/vista-phase-3-trial-vicinium-epcam-targeted-pseudomonas-exotoxin-bcg-unresponsive-non
BRIDGE Trialhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10515442/
CORE-008 Trialhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1078143924010147
GAIN Trialhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10176900/
--------
29:46
--------
29:46
Ep. 274 Techniques & Challenges in Bladder Transplant Surgery with Dr. Nima Nassiri
For the first time in history, a human bladder was transplanted. Dr. Nima Nassiri (UCLA) joins Dr. Ruchika Talwar to share how his team completed this landmark operation alongside a kidney transplant. He walks through the clinical scenario, key steps in donor and recipient selection, and how years of preclinical work informed the operative approach.
---
SYNPOSIS
The conversation explores the broader future of bladder transplant surgery, from ethical considerations to the potential for merging bladder transplantation with tolerance-induction protocols that could one day eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppression. Dr. Nassiri reflects on the importance of patient-first decision-making, teamwork, and careful innovation as the field moves toward new possibilities in restorative urology and transplant medicine.
---
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction02:51 - The Path to Bladder Transplant Surgery05:00 - Scientific Challenges and Barriers06:45 - Patient Selection and Initial Outcomes12:28 - Quality of Life Considerations14:18 - Performing the First Bladder Transplant18:59 - Donor Matching21:28 - Ethical Considerations24:51 - Research Gaps and Future Prospects
---
RESOURCES
Clinical Trial: Vascularized Composite Bladder Allograft Transplantationhttps://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05462561
Clinical Trial: Retro-active Immunological Tolerance in Patients With Well-functioning Pre-existing HLA-identical Kidney Transplantshttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05525507
--------
29:53
--------
29:53
Ep. 273 Enhancing Care Coordination in Bladder Cancer Treatments with Brynn Moore and Meredith Donahue
With the right protocols (and the right team!), urology clinics can proactively manage the side effects of intravesical therapy. This in-studio episode from the 2025 NMIBC Creator Weekend™ series features unique perspectives from Vanderbilt nurse practitioner Meredith Donahue and surgical neuro-oncology nurse Brynn Moore, both with focuses in urologic oncology. Hosted by Dr. Ruchika Talwar, we cover the practical and logistical considerations in intravesical therapy administration.
---
This podcast is supported by:
Ferring Pharmaceuticalshttps://www.ferring.com/home-classic/people-and-families/uro-uro-oncology/bladder-cancer/
---
SYNPOSIS
Donahue and Moore share their experiences with intravesical therapy, discussing practical issues such as patient management, scheduling, and handling side effects. They emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment in clinics, proactive treatment plans, and ensuring effective communication among the multidisciplinary team. They also share resources and tips for nurses and nurse practitioners new to urologic oncology.
---
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction07:09 - Multidisciplinary Team Dynamics11:34 - Resources for Patients18:55 - Transvaginal Estrogen Cream26:56 - Optimizing Intravesical Therapy Clinics35:57 - The Importance of Multidisciplinary Collaboration36:27 - Conclusion
--------
38:00
--------
38:00
Ep. 272 Fournier's Gangrene Management: Timing, Transfers & Best Practices with Dr. Judith C. Hagedorn
What does it take to save both life and function in a rapidly progressing infection? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Judith Hagedorn (University of Washington) joins Dr. George Koch (Ohio State University) to unpack the complexities of Fournier’s gangrene management.
---
SYNPOSIS
They discuss advances in surgical techniques like skin-sparing debridement and the value of high-volume centers for patient outcomes. They also explore the use of wound vacuums, the challenges related to testicular management, and the future of Fournier’s gangrene treatment, including early detection and better patient scoring systems.
---
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction3:04 - Evolution of Fournier’s Management7:50 - Management at High-Volume vs. Community Centers20:39 - Use of Wound Vacs27:03 - Testicular Management43:56 - Future Directions
The BackTable Urology Podcast is a resource for practicing urologists to learn tips, techniques, and practical advice from their peers in the field. Listen here or on the streaming platform of your choice.
Polska