This week on BackTable Urology, Dr. Jill Buckley speaks with internationally-renowned urologic reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Sanjay Kulkarni, about his upbringing, training, and insights on urethroplasty.

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SHOW NOTES

First, Dr. Kulkarni discusses his upbringing and the importance of education in his family. Then he outlines the challenges he faced in the 1980s when he began to introduce urethroplasty in his hometown in India. He established a small hospital with two operating theaters and 20 beds in 1995 that transformed into a 100-bed urology center in 2021. Additionally, he started the Kulkarni School of Urethral Surgery, which has since been an international training site for surgeons from around the world.

Next, Dr. Kulkarni elaborates about the mentors and experiences that have shaped his career. He introduced the buccal mucosa technique in 1997, applied it to penile urethra in 2000, and innovated the one-side dissection technique in 2009. The doctors then discuss the potential advances in urethral surgery, including stem cells and tissue engineering, and Dr. Kulkarni’s interest in robotics and reconstructive urology. Finally, Dr. Kulkarni shared his admiration for his various peers and mentors in the field.

Finally, he shares his last surgical pearls and emphasizes the importance of attending workshops and observing in the theater to develop one's technique and passion for surgery. He ends the episode by highlighting the importance of out-of-the-box thinking and how it can lead to innovation.