The Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was held in Adelaide, South Australia, this year from February 24 to 27. The meeting was convened by Dr Michael Chong and Dr Dixon Woon, the Scientific Committee chair. The 4-day program encompassed plenary sessions, prestigious named lectures, poster presentations, masterclasses, and workshops. All ASM sessions featured prominent international and local speakers with recognized expertise in their fields. The ASM commenced with a series of topical and practical workshops followed by the opening ceremony and welcome reception. The flagship Harry Harris Oration was delivered by the Honorable Hieu Van Le AC, a former refugee who had risen to become governor of South Australia. The Society of Paediatric Urology of New Zealand and Australia and Australian and New Zealand Urological Nurses Society meetings were also held in conjunction with USANZ.

We were honored to host 16 prominent international speakers from diverse backgrounds and recognized experts in their chosen fields. These speakers included representatives from the British Association of Urological Surgeons, Société Internationale d’Urologie, Urological Association of Asia, AUA, and European Association of Urology. This year’s conference attracted more than 900 registrants, with 186 abstracts accepted for verbal or poster presentations.

The first day of the conference highlighted the theme of diversity and inclusivity. Professor Mark Frydenberg, Royal Australasia College of Surgeon (RACS) specialty elected councilor, briefed us on the updated RACS diversity and inclusion plan. This plan underscores RACS’s commitment to setting standards for valuing diversity and inclusion of gender, ethnicity, indigeneity, sexual orientation and identity, age, disability, and religion in surgery and the College’s governance and leadership roles. Additionally, RACS will continue its initiatives to increase the participation of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Ma-ori peoples in surgical practice.

The plenary session on transgender health commenced with a series of presentations that shed light on the personal journeys and professional endeavors within the field. Dr Sheravika Leonny, an emergency physician and mother of a transgender son, courageously shared her journey of struggle, acceptance, and unwavering advocacy for the transgender community. Her presentation gave us the insight into the complexities and challenges faced by transgender individuals and their families. Following that, Dr Clara Soo, a general practitioner, reflected on her own transition journey, highlighting enduring stigma and prejudice. The session was further enriched by the invaluable contributions of local leader in transgender health Associate Professor Ada Cheung, an endocrinologist known for her efforts in providing clinical care, research initiatives, and advocacy for the transgender population. Additionally, Associate Professor Geolani Dy, a gender-affirming surgeon based in Oregon, offered insight into the comprehensive model of care for gender-affirming surgery practiced in the United States. Collectively, the plenary session had fostered empathy, understanding, and inclusivity within health care practices while highlighting the ongoing efforts to address disparities and promote equity for the transgender community.

The focus on diversity and inclusivity continued into the following day, addressing prostate cancer care within marginalized populations. Dr Jared White informed us of the disparities in prostate cancer care experienced by Ma-ori men in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Dr Rajeev Patel, representing Fiji, shed light on the challenges stemming from the shortage of human resources, technology, and specialists in his region. Professor Neil Fleshner shared his insights into the initiatives undertaken by his unit to facilitate the care and support provided to Black Canadian populations. Innovations such as a mobile PSA testing van were highlighted as an effective strategy in overcoming accessibility barriers for these patients. These discussions underscored the ongoing commitment within the medical community to address health care disparities and ensure equitable access to quality care for all individuals regardless of background or location.

The management of hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer has undergone significant evolution in recent years. Professors Axel Merseburger and Christopher Sweeney provided an in-depth update on the latest and most practical management strategies for these patients.

In the female and neurourology subsection, Dr Ashani Couchman and Dr Lenore Ackerman debated on the controversial long-term use of antibiotics in recurrent chronic urinary tract infections. Dr Ackerman further delved into topics including interstitial cystitis and the complexities surrounding the understanding and treatment of chronic pelvic pain. The subsection also included such important topics as the Australasian pelvic floor procedure registry, management strategies for overactive bladder, vaginal surgery, and robotic female pelvic surgery.

Andrologist Associate Professor Faysal Yafi delivered the AUA lecture on what’s new in the management of ischemic priapism and postprostatectomy climacturia. Male infertility topics such as lifestyle optimization and male fertility, varicocele management, DNA fragmentation, and male infertility were covered by our international speaker Dr Cori Tanrikut.

Dr Silvia Secco delivered a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements and evidence in minimally invasive surgical therapies, such as iTind, Rezum, Urolift, and aquablation, for benign prostatic hyperplasia. She demonstrated that iTind can be performed as outpatient day cases, facilitated by the innovative Schelin catheter. Professor Stavros Gravas presented an evidence-based approach to managing very enlarged prostates exceeding 200 g. His analysis of the data indicated that holmium laser enucleation of the prostate stood out as the most favorable option.

The final day of the conference highlighted innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future landscape of urology. Professor Nathan Lawrentschuk provided invaluable insights regarding new robotic platforms coming into the Australian health care system and how they will shape urological surgeries in the years ahead (Figure 1).

An engaging presentation by Professor Arnulf Stenzl on the application of artificial intelligence–generated video presentations, available in multiple languages, can aid patients in better comprehending their diagnoses (Figure 2). While acknowledging the potential of such tools, Professor Stenzl asserted that the role of clinicians in guiding patients through decision-making processes remains paramount.

The closing session started with Professor Neil Fleshner sharing his experience as a medical entrepreneur. He recounted his journey of founding a company to source bacillus Calmette-Guérin, out of frustration caused by constant shortage, followed by the establishment of a highly successful radioligand production venture. Locally grown talents Associate Professors Celi Varol and Joseph Ischia shared their journeys of invention and innovation. Varol, renowned for his work in laser focal therapy, and Ischia, the Jiffy stent, recounted their experiences of conceptualizing and refining their inventions from garage to fully realized products.

Overall, the USANZ 2024 ASM was a great success. With a commitment to embracing diversity, inclusivity, and innovation, as well as maintaining high standards of practice in urology, USANZ is well placed to maintain its presence in the global urological community.