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in the operating theaters is limited and sometimes the waiting list is very long. Your patient has to wait, because you have to operate first the tumors, the stones, and all of the rest. So, the other challenge of this subspecialty is to find space in the hospitals and in the theaters for your patients.
T.S.: Could you please describe us the evolution of Functional Urology through the latest years? How it was back then and how is it right now? In your opinion, which were the most important steps that defined its current status?
Prof. Finazzi: Thanks a lot for this question, even if it makes me feel a little bit old. I started almost 30 years ago, actually. So, I have seen the evolution of this field. When I started, the botulinum toxin was not used, the neuromodulation was not used, many treatments for prostatic obstruction were not used, even TURP. Open prostatectomy was used much more than it is used now. There were hundreds of interventions for female incontinence. The belief was "there are hundreds of surgeries for incontinence because no one is working properly". Then, all these treatments came up, neuromodulation, botulinum toxin, midurethral slings for incontinence, lasers and even minimally-invasive treatments for BPO. So, the things have changed a lot. Also, robotics were not there. Of course, robotics also have a place in Functional Urology. In one word, I
would say that technology changed a lot our ability to treat our patients. The evolution is very clear and very evident to all of us. Of course, when you have more treatments, sometimes the decision is more difficult. When you have only one surgery, you have to do that surgical procedure. When you have many, you have to decide which is the best one for your patient. You have to learn more techniques. So, it's more challenging for us, in a way. I had the opportunity to meet people who invented these techniques and who started to use these techniques. For instance, Brigitte Schürch who started to use the botulinum toxin and also people who were involved in neuromodulation. In Italy we have Dr. Michele Spinelli, who is one of those who rendered possible the progress of neuromodulation. I personally started, for instance , tibial stimulation. In my center, I was one of the first to use this technique. Our papers are cited in the guidelines about tibial stimulation. So, I participated a little bit in this changing and I had the opportunity to meet many people who contributed a lot to this evolution. I think that you will have the same experience in your life.
F.N.: What new advancements or technologies in Functional Urology do you find particularly promising or interesting?
Prof. Finazzi: I'm not thinking about a treatment in particular. In my opinion, what will change in our
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