2024 SUPS Annual Meeting: A Recap of Innovations and Insights in Urologic Prosthetics

The 2024 Society of Urologic Prosthetic Surgeons (SUPS) Annual Meeting brought together some of the brightest minds in urology for a highly anticipated educational summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. Held at the Delano Las Vegas on August 9-10, this year’s event was a hub of knowledge-sharing, networking, and discussion around the latest developments in urologic prosthetics.

The SUPS Annual Meeting has grown in prominence over the years, drawing participants from around the globe. This year, providers from Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and beyond gathered for the invitation-only event, reflecting the society’s expanding influence and membership. The meeting was packed with insightful presentations from leading urologists, with topics ranging from penile implants to artificial urinary sphincters and more.

Featured Speakers and Key Sessions

The 2024 Education Summit featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including SUPS President Dr. Shawn Blick, Dr. O. Lenaine Westney, Dr. Melissa R. Kaufman, Dr. Jeffrey Loh-Doyle, Dr. Steven K. Wilson, and many others. Their presentations covered a wide array of topics essential to the advancement of urologic prosthetics.

One of the most anticipated presentations was scheduled to be given by Dr. Paul Perito, a pioneer in penile implant surgery. He was set to discuss his extensive experience over 28 years in a talk titled, “Penile Implant Experience: What’s in Your Toolbox After 28 Years.” Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Dr. Perito could not attend this year’s meeting. In his place, Dr. Alfredo Suarez-Sarmiento, Jr. delivered the talk, sharing valuable insights into the current state of penile implants and addressing the latest innovations in the field.

Dr. Suarez-Sarmiento’s presentation was well-received by the audience, which included some of the world’s best penile implanters. His talk emphasized the ongoing evolution of penile implant techniques and highlighted the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest tools and methods in urology.

Saturday’s General Session Highlights

The second day of the summit, Saturday, August 10, was filled with high-caliber presentations that addressed crucial topics in urologic prosthetics:

  • Artificial Urinary Sphincter: Coding Consensus and Developments in Post-Operative Analgesia
    Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey Loh-Doyle
    This session delved into the intricacies of coding for artificial urinary sphincter procedures and the latest advancements in managing post-operative pain.
  • New AUS Devices Coming to Market
    Speaker: Dr. Steven K. Wilson
    Dr. Wilson discussed the emerging technologies in artificial urinary sphincters and how these innovations are set to improve patient outcomes.
  • Review and Update on Irrisept in Prosthetics
    Speaker: Dr. Edward Karpman
    Dr. Karpman provided a comprehensive update on the use of Irrisept in prosthetic surgeries, highlighting its benefits and best practices.
  • New Tricks for Infrapubic IPP Placement Over the Last 5 Years
    Speaker: Dr. Alfredo Suarez-Sarmiento, Jr.
    Despite Dr. Perito’s absence, his topic remained a focal point of discussion, emphasizing the advancements in infrapubic inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) placement.
  • How to Handle ED and PD at the Same Time
    Speaker: Dr. Rafael E. Carrion
    Dr. Carrion explored the challenges and solutions for managing erectile dysfunction and Peyronie’s disease simultaneously.
  • Fellows Certification Process Update
    Speaker: Dr. Sherita A. King
    Dr. King discussed the updates to the certification process for fellows, underlining the importance of continued education and rigorous standards.
  • APP’s in Men’s Health
    Speaker: Kenneth Mitchell, MPAS, PA-C
    This session focused on the role of Advanced Practice Providers in men’s health and their growing importance in urologic practices.

A Meeting of Minds and Innovations

The 2024 SUPS Annual Meeting was not just an educational summit—it was a celebration of the growth and progress within the field of urologic prosthetics. The event underscored the importance of collaboration among urologists worldwide and highlighted the continuous advancements that are being made to improve patient care. This conference was a great opportunity for our international UroFill providers to meet and discuss all the recent updates to our protocols. Some notable UroFill® providers in attendance were: Drs. Tiago Mierzwa, Gabriel Veber, Clay Williams, and Bernardo Cisneros. UroFill® provider and SUPS member Dr. Gabriel Veber might have had the longest journey, requiring 4 flights and a long bus ride traveling from Port Allegre, Brazil to Las Vegas, NV.

Dr. Paul Perito, who has been a driving force behind SUPS, expressed his pride in the society’s achievements, noting the significant growth in membership and the quality of the educational content provided at this year’s meeting. Although he couldn’t be present, his influence and contributions to the field were certainly felt throughout the event.

As SUPS continues to expand and evolve, the annual meeting remains a cornerstone of innovation and excellence in urologic prosthetics. We look forward to seeing what next year’s summit will bring.