Gruppo Italo-Belga

Activity concentrated in Rome ; For more detail : change to Italian

A group dedicated to severe endometriosis and advanced endoscopic surgery

The Gruppo Italo-Belga is an international group in Rome . This group originated from collaboration in research and in training of endoscopic surgery between the university of Oxford, UK , the KULeuven, Leuven( Belgium) and the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore di Roma,( Italy). – If you want to check the publications of this group on pubmed,

The Gruppo Italo-Belga has as mission the promotion of advanced endoscopic surgery Especially for the surgery of deep endometriosis, one of the most demanding surgical interventions, Prof Koninckx is a pioneer with more than 2000 interventions (1550 in Leuven, 350 in Oxford, and 150 in Rome)

We want to deliver controllable quality through complete videoregistration of all interventions and by giving a copy to the patient.

Surgery in Rome is organised by Drssa Ussia. For difficult case surgery is performed by Prof Koninckx. and Drssa Ussia, a collaboration going back more than 13 years and shown during live surgery in lartge parts of this world (Italy, England, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia and Indonesie). We do have a strong collaboration with the Policlinico Gemelli in Romesince 2004 : Prof Koninckx is a visiting Professor and Dr Carlo De Cicco has been a fellow in Leuven for 3 years

Contact:	Drssa Ussia A.	Prof Koninckx P
	Drssa +39 348 8506222	+32 486.271061
e mail	anastasia.ussia@gmail.com	PKoninckx@gmail.com

Studio Montesanto a Roma , Via Monte Santo 52, 00195 Roma
Tel : 06 37515409 Fax 06 37 410037 Sigmora Angela Squillace.

Surgery for patients from outside Italy

In order to evitate too much travel the medical history and the necessary exams are discussed by email. This often permits to see the patient with the required exams shortly before the planned interventionl which is then confirmed.

We can take care of travel, transport in Rome, and accommodation before and after surgery, including an eventual recovery in a nice place together with the accompanying person.

Contacs for surgery in Leuven or Oxford

Leuven	Prof P.R. Koninckx	PKoninckx@gmail.com	+32 486 271061…
Oxford	Mrs Lower	PKoninckx@gmail.com	+44 1865 221008

Website Prof Koninckx KULeuven

Website Prof Koninckx UZ Gasthuisberg

Oxford Leuven Surgery : NUFFIELD DEPARTMENT OBGYN, LEVEL 3, WOMENS CENTRE, JOHN RADCLIFFE HOSPITAL, HEADINGTON OXFORD OX3 9DU

The pelvic surgeon and advanced surgery in gynaecology

The pelvic surgeon is a new concept in gynaecology and has been proposed as a new ’subspecialty’. The relative small group of gynaecologists performing advanced laparoscopic surgery, have realised that the ‘old’ concept of subspecialities is no longer useful in laparoscopic gynaecology. Indeed we have to realise that there is a lot of rather simple or basic gynaecologic surgery whereas the really advanced surgery remains relatively rare. Moreover the learning curve of endoscopic surgery does not fit with the actual subspecialties in gynaecology while the amount of ‘advanced surgery’ is insufficient in each subspecialty.

This concept obviously is not welcomed by the traditional subspecialties who defend their positions. Who looses in this is the patient.

that endoscopic surgery is more difficult than thougth years ago is obvious : just look around and zsee how many hysterectomies are still performed by laparotomy.

The major problem occuss in reproductive medecine with a lot of minor surgery and limited advanced surgery. As a consequence the advanced surgery is often not done or not done adequately and the patient who does not become pregnatn spontaneously gets IVF. The obvious thing, referral to an advanced endoscopic surgeon is not done since the patient is kept within the subspecialty.

Also in oncology, the volume of advanced surgeyr is insufficient. Instead of referring patients alternatives are implemented, as robotic surgery, without any evidence of superiority, byut much more expensive for society.

Deep endometriosis surgery probably is technically the most demanding surgery. So it is not surprising that especially the deep endometriosis surgeons are proposing ‘advanced pelvic surgery’ as a subspecialty, while being opposed by the large group of non- advanced surgeons.

Recognising ‘pelvic surgery’ as a subspecialty is the best way to increase overall quality of advanced pelvic surgery surgery for the patient. This concept unfortunately is opposed strongly by oncology and by reproductive medecine for ‘political’ reasons’ ie in order to to maintain the actual subspecialties.