he 35th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas was a huge success! Attendance was the highest in AAGL history with 1,391 registrants from 54 countries. We received a record number of submissions for oral

presentations, videos, and posters resulting in a meeting fi lled with superb scientifi c content.

The postgraduate courses were well attended and received excellent reviews. The hands-on courses were particularly well received and plans are underway to continue them next year. The pilot pre-congress workshop on Advancing Your Career in Minimally Invasive Gynecology had a great deal of enthusiasm. We hope to continue this program and add more practice management and marketing emphasis. As always, your feed-back is very important to guide the direction of the AAGL, especially in our postgraduate courses.

The futuristic theme of the Las Vegas meeting began with an inspiring keynote lecture by Sherman Silber, M.D. on ovarian transplantation, followed by a fantastic general session – Future Vision: Technology Transforming Minimally Invasive Surgery coordinated by Steve Palter, M.D. How we are going to adapt and teach new technology was addressed in the general session on Endoscopic Credentialing and Teaching – the Future, chaired by Tony Luciano, M.D.

The surgical tutorials remained very popular and the addition of syllabus material was appreciated. The live surgery session was particularly good this year. The quality of the surgery was excellent. There was a wide diversity in cases as well as surgeons with operations from France, Germany, the United States, and Chile; the fi rst South American transmission to the AAGL.

Throughout the meeting, the enthusiasm from the

attendees and industry was palpable. Rich Gimpleson, AAGL President gave a moving presidential address – “If I Sell It For Junk, I Can Buy It For Junk.” I would encourage any of you who missed it to read his heartwarming speech in the March/April 2007 issue of JMIG. During the Honorary Luncheon, we had the pleasure of recognizing Harry Reich, M.D. as Honorary Chair of the meeting and inducting Professor Ettore Cittadini as Honorary Member. These leaders in endoscopy have played a key role in fi lling AAGL’s mission to disseminate endoscopic surgery worldwide.

Although it was a lot of work, serving as Scientifi c Program Chair was a great honor and privilege. The success of the meeting would not have been possible without the generous contributions of my talented scientifi c Program Committee, the AAGL Board, and the CME Committee. I would like to especially thank Linda Michels and Franklin D. Loffer for their fl exibility and dedication.

The planning for next year’s Annual Global Congress in Minimally Invasive Gynecology in Washington, D.C. is well underway with the direction of Chuck Miller, Scientifi c Program Chair. The AAGL is holding the First AAGL International Congress in conjunction with SEGI in Palermo, Italy, June 20-24, 2007. We look forward to your participation in these excellent upcoming meetings.

See Page 6 for photos of the congress.

NewsScopeAAGL Advanc ing Min imal ly Invas ive Gyneco logy Wor ldwide

OCTOBER- DECEMBER 2006 VOL. 20, NO. 4

a n n u a l m e e t i n g

TAnnual Meeting in Las Vegas Wins Big

Grace M. Janik, M.D.Scientifi c Program Chair

President, AAGL

v i d e o j o u r n a l

hanks to continuing support from Stryker Endoscopy, the Video Journal remains available online to all AAGL members. Go to http://www.aagl.org/ where the “Video Journal” tab takes you to the

top 10 videos from our most recent AAGL annual meeting, educational videos featuring lectures from the annual AAGL resident’s course, and surgical videos with the highest viewing record over the past year. If you have not taken advantage of this valuable benefi t of your AAGL membership, I encourage you to do so.

As we continue to move into the “online” world of medical education, AAGL is pleased to announce another “fi rst”. Early in 2007, AAGL will begin accepting video submissions

for publication in the Video Journal. Using the same review process utilized for articles submitted to JMIG, each video will be reviewed and graded. If accepted, the video will be placed in the Video Journal online, accessible to all AAGL members and residents worldwide.

From our experience with the fi rst two years of the Video Journal, we have learned a great deal about how our members utilize online surgical videos. We will use this knowledge to maximize the value of this unique and valuable resource. We are very excited about this new endeavor and are looking forward to your submissions. Watch your email for the Video Journal “Instruction to Authors.”

Video Journal – A Membership Benefi t

TD. Alan Johns, M.D.

JMIG Associate EditorAAGL Advisor

NewsScope [Library of Congress Cataloging in Publica-tion Data, Main entry under NewsScope, Vol. 20, No. 1; (ISSN 1094–4672)] is published quarterly by the-AAGL for ten dollars, paid from member’s dues. Periodicals Postage Paid at Cypress, California.Copyright 2006 AAGL.

PublisherAAGLAdvancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide6757 Katella AvenueCypress, California 90630-5105 USATel 714.503.6200, 800.554.2245Fax 714.503.6201, 714.503.6202E-mail: newsscope@aagl.orgWebsite: www.aagl.org

The views and opinions expressed by the authors in this publication do not necessarily refl ect those of News-Scope, its editors, and/or the AAGL.

e d i t o r i a l s t a f f

t h e a a g l v i s i o n

The AAGL vision is to serve women

by advancing the safest and most

effi cacious diagnostic and therapeutic

techniques that provide less invasive

treatments for gynecologic conditions

through integration of clinical practice,

research, innovation, and dialogue.

NewsScope

Charles E. Miller, M.D.

Linda MichelsFranklin D. Loffer, M.D.

Lynn Bell

Jennifer Sanchez

Grace M. Janik, M.D.

Charles E. Miller, M.D.

Resad P. Pasic, M.D.

Luiz F. Albuquerque, M.D.Krisztina I. Bajzak, M.D.Martin Farrugia, M.D.Gary N. Frishman, M.D.Keith B. Isaacson, M.D.Alan M. Lam, M.D., FRACOGDavid J. Levine, M.D.Javier Magrina, M.D.

Richard J. Gimpleson, M.D

Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.

Linda Michels

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editors

Marketing Coordinator

Art Director

President

Vice-President

Secretary-Treasurer

Trustees

Immediate Past President

Executive Vice President,Medical Director

Executive Director

b o a r d o f t r u s t e e s

f y i

NewsScope

f r o m t h e e d i t o r

he world now has two extremes of mail. There is that which comes to us through the post offi ce (snail mail) and that which is almost instantaneous (email).

Snail mail is still necessary if you want to send an original hard copy. But then you can do that even more quickly, albeit more expensively, by one of the world wide courier services.

Email delivers the message or image almost immediately and to any where the recipient wants to receive it. The AAGL uses email so its members can receive:

• The AAGL-Endo-Issues which is our very popular list server.• Online issues of JMIG and the NewsScope.• First notifi cation of meetings.• Online meeting registration, dues payments, and voting.• The AAGL Bulletin.

The AAGL does not give, sell or use its members email addresses except for AAGL activities. If you are one of the 18% of our membership who has not given use your email address you may do so by emailing it to ggalindo@aagl.org .

Please review your current address, phone number and email listing by going to www.AAGL.org and clicking on “Physician Information” and then click on “Find a Physician”.

P.S. You still will eventually get our hard copies by snail mail.

TAre You Getting Your Mail?

2 OCT- DEC 2006

ver the past year, as your Editor of News Scope, I have commented on robotic surgery, educational opportunities within the AAGL and the changing face of the membership of our society. I have to the best of my ability, tried to present these topics in an amusing, “tongue in cheek” manner. At times, I

believe I actually succeeded.With my fi nal editorial, however, it is my intention to speak to you with all the

seriousness and passion that the written word allows. I call on each of us, as minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons, to advocate for patients and their gynecologic surgical concerns. Support must be given in direct patient care, as well as backing provided to deal with insurance reimbursement. Finally, as a group, we must lobby our law makers to recognize the importance of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery for women. These techniques can no longer be considered surgical alternatives; rather, when appropriate, a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery must be considered the procedure of choice.

Women must have the opportunity to locate surgeons in their communities adept in performing these minimally invasive techniques safely. Furthermore, insurance carriers must reward surgeons who are willing to gain expertise in these techniques that often times require advanced training, are technically more challenging and can be more time consuming than their “open” counterpart. Economics cannot be a reason to perform laparotomy. Finally, our law makers have to provide access to health care, so women have the opportunity to undergo minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

In order to reach these lofty goals, public awareness must be heightened. Patients, employers, law makers and the insurance industry must be educated. While the AAGL, must accept the leadership role, this public relations initiative would appear to be quite costly; certainly beyond the means of our society. I therefore call on industry as well as private doctors to work in harmony under the guidance of the AAGL to fund this public relations initiative. Ultimately, with a concerted effort, I feel confi dent that we can positively impact a woman’s surgical outcome and make minimally invasive surgery the standard of care.

OA Call for Patient Advocacy

Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.Executive Vice President/Medical Director, AAGL

Charles E. Miller, M.D.Vice President, AAGL

Now available in your office

Evaluates integrity of uterinecavity for possible perforationprior to treatment. Utilizes tissue impedance monitoringtechnology to achieve properdepth of ablation

Can be used with local anesthesia, with or without IV sedation**

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* The NovaSure procedure includes a 90 second average treatment time.** While it may be possible to perform the NovaSure Endometrial Ablation procedure without IV sedation, Cytyc does not represent or guarantee that this

course of treatment is suitable for all patients. The choice of anesthesia protocols is solely within the discretion of the treating physician after a proper evaluation of the patient.

1. NovaSure instructions for use.2. Cooper J, Gimpelson R, Laberge P, et al. A randomized, multicenter trial of safety and efficacy of the NovaSure system in the treatment of menorrhagia.

J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 2002;9:418-428.

© CYTYC Corporation 2006 NovaSure is a registered trademark of Cytyc Corporation. 87230-001 Rev. A

The patient-preferred solutionto heavy menstrual bleeding

NewsScope

5OCT - DEC 2006

c l i n i c a l o p i n i o n

Pelvic prolapse continues to be a challenging condition for the gynecologic surgeon and little has changed in our surgical approach from many decades ago. Based on improved understanding of the anatomy/

pathophysiology, prolapse should be viewed as hernias with the primary goal of recreating the integrity of the endopelvic fascia with apical support. (Fig 1.)

This is diffi cult in patients who have weak tissue and/or large defects, especially in the case of enteroceles. Traditional repairs advocate bunching of weak tissue with high failure rates as well as pelvic pain, vaginal narrowing, and dyspareunia in our attempt to gather strong tissue laterally. Twenty to 30% of prolapse surgeries fail on short term followup. General surgeons reduced similar failure rates for ventral hernia repairs by 50% using interposition of a synthetic mesh. This is now considered standard of care.

Mesh/graft augmentation makes sense. Reinforcing midline plication or site-specifi c defect repair with a second layer of strength combining apical support should result in greater durability. Choice of materials, techniques, and procedures continues to evolve and will most likely continue to undergo rapid advancement with increasing experience.

Critiques comment that traditional repairs work well, there is no data to support material use, and complications are frequent/severe. Traditional repairs have not had high long term success rates and few of our traditional/current repairs have good long term comparative data to support use. Complications can be reduced by proper technique and will improve with greater study of the technique and evolution of materials/methods.

We must remind ourselves constantly that FDA approval for devices, the 501K process, is much less strict with materials than with drugs. Marketing is allowed if the device is “substantially equivalent”

to other devices on the market. FDA approval does not assure effi cacy, safety, or any outcome data! Mesh placed vaginally for reconstruction is largely unstudied, unproven, and should be considered experimental.

History is fi lled with mesh nightmares. The Protegen sling was recalled in 1999, because at just 5 centers, 34

removals were required including 7 urethral erosions and 6 urethrovaginal fi stulas1 In a series of 108 Goretex slings there was a 40% wound infection rate and a 22% removal rate2 Nineteen patients required intravaginal slingplasty mesh removals at a single center for intractable mesh infections.3

The current blind mesh kits suspend the vagina to exit points distal (or caudal) to the ischial spine. In a study using 12 passes in 6 cadavers, the mean distance of vaginal “apical” entry was 4.8cm from the hymen 4 The vagina is supposed to be elastic, but is not with mesh replacement of the vagina. Are we creating a generation of women with inelastic, stiff vaginas and how well will these work for sexual activity?

Except for the anterior compartment we have existing successful procedures.

Conventional vaginal apical operations like high uterosacral vault suspensions or sacrospinous ligament suspensions have success rates in the 80-90 percent range (Review presented). Conventional posterior repairs have success rates approximating 90%.5

Dr. Kohli reported objective surgical cure rates of 95% with a vaginal hysterectomy and uterosacral vaginal vault suspension compared to 86% with vaginal hysterectomy and mesh vault suspension.(Kohli et al IUGA 2006, Abstract 150). I would listen to his data.

References1. Kobashi KC, Dmochowski R, Mee SL, et al. Erosion of woven polyester pubovaginal sling. J Urol

1999;162:2070-2.2. Weinberger MW, Ostergard DR. Long-term clinical and urodynamic evaluation of the

polytetrafl uoroethylene suburethral sling for treatment of genuine stress incontinence. Obstet Gynecol 1995;86:92-6.

3. Baessler K, Hewson AD, Tunn R, Schuessler B, Maher CF. Severe mesh complications following

intravaginal slingplasty. Obstet Gynecol 2005;106:713-6.

4. Jelovsek JE, Sokol AI, Barber MD, Paraiso MF, Walters MD. Anatomic relationships of infracoccygeal sacropexy (posterior intravaginal slingplasty) trocar insertion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2005;193:2099-104.5. Walters MD. The use and misuse of prosthetic materials in reconstructive pelvic surgery: does the evidence support our surgical practice? Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2003;14:365-6.

Surgical Crossfi re Debate: Mesh/Grafts Should Be Used in Most Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery

PRO

Neeraj Kohli, M.D. - PRODirector, Division of Urogynecology

Brigham and Women’s HospitalAssistant Professor, Obstetrics and

GynecologyHarvard Medical SchoolBoston, Massachusetts

The opinions, viewpoints, conclusions, recommenda-tions and statements in the Clinical Opinion column are solely those of the author(s) and are not-attributable to the sponsor, publisher, editor or editorial board of NewsScope, the AAGL, or any of its affi liates.

Charles W. Nager, M.D. - CONProfessor of Clinical

Reproductive MedicineDirector, Division of Urogynecology

UCSD Medical CenterSan Diego, California

CON

a n n u a l m e e t i n g

Las Vegas Wrap Up

Grace M. Janik, Scientifi c Program Chair, opens the AAGL 35th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.

6 OCT- DEC 2006

NewsScope

Golden Hysteroscope Award – Best Hysteroscopy Paper

Malcolm G. Munro (l) accepts award from Rafael F. Valle,

Chair (r) and Charlie Goodwin (m) on behalf of Gyrus

ACMI, the supporting company for this award.

Golden Laparoscope Award for Best Surgical Video

Tommaso Falcone (m), accepts award from Resad P. Pasic,

Chair (r) and Marc Levinson on behalf of Olympus Corp.,

the supporting company for this award.

Jerome J. Hoffman – Postgraduate Prize Paper

H. Kamencic (m) accepts award from Prabhat Ahluwalia,

Chair (r) and Scott Peairs on behalf of Tyco Healthcare, the

supporting company for this award.

Daniel F. Kott Award for the Best New Instrumentation

Steven F. Palter (l) accepts award from Ralph J. Turner,

Chair. Supported by the Foundation of the AAGL.

Da Vinci Award for the Best Paper on Robotics

Arnold Advincula (m) accepts award from Javier Margina,

Chair (r) and Robin Close on behalf of Intuitive Surgical, the

supporting company for this award

Kurt Semm Award for the Best Paper on Pelviscopy

Angelos Vilos (2nd from left) accepts award from Prof.

Semm’s son, Patrick, Liselotte Mettler and David J. Levine,

Chair. Supported by WISAP.

Jay M. Cooper Award for the Best Paper on Minimally Invasive

Gynecology. Lawrence Lin (l) accepts award from Anthony A.

Luciano, Chair. Supported by the Foundation of the AAGL.

IRCAD Award for the Best Fellow Paper on Minimally

Invasive Gynecology. Linda Lewis accepts award from

Keith B. Isaacson (r), Chair and Thomas Prescher on behalf

of Karl Storz Endoscopy America, the supporting company

for this award.

Fellowship in Gynecologic Endoscopy Graduation

Anthony A. Luciano, President (l) and CY Liu , Preceptor

(r), present plaque to Todd R. Jenkins for completing one

year fellowship.

The exhibit hall was full and well attended.

Richard J. Gimpelson (l) accepts Presidential plaque from

Franklin D. Loffer.

Prof. Ettore Cittadini (l) accepts plaque as Honorary

Member from Franklin D. Loffer.

Harry Reich, Honorary Chair (r) with John R. Miklos, faculty

member.

©2006 CooperSurgical, Inc.95 Corporate Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611 • 203.601.5200 • www.coopersurgical.com Form # 81138 12/06

Welcomes Lone Star Medicalto our Family ofProducts

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The Filshie® Clip SystemFor permanent female sterilization

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RUMI/KOH System For optimal uterine manipulation during TLH and LAVH

NEW!The Carter-Thomason CloseSure System®

For port-site wound closure

The Lone StarRetractor System

8 OCT- DEC 2006

NewsScope

n ew p r o d u c t s

Baxter One Baxter Parkway • Deerfi eld, IL 60015Phone: 800.432.2090 • Fax: 800.756.4952

ADEPT Adhesion Reduction Solution [4% Icodextrin] is a single use, sterile, clear and colorless fl uid for intraperitoneal administration. Web site: www.baxterbiosurgery.com

Conceptus Incorporated331 East Evelyn Avenue • Mountain View, CA 94041Phone: 650.962.4000 • Fax: 650.962.5200

Conceptus Incorporated manufactures and markets the Essure® Permanent Birth Control system, an innovative medical device and procedure designed to provide a non-incisional alternative to tubal ligation, which is the leading form of birth control worldwide. The Essure system is approved for sale in many countries, including the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and New Zealand. Conceptus is working to make Essure available world-wide upon receipt of appropriate regulatory and/or governmental clearances.

Cook Women’s Health1100 West Morgan Street • Spencer, IN 47460Phone: 315.797.8375 (domestic or outside United States)800.448.6506 (within the United States) • Fax: 315.732.7991

With headquarters located in Spencer, Indiana, Cook Women’s Health is a member of the Cook family of companies. COOK (www.cookmedical.com) is the world’s largest privately held medical device manufacturer and is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for assisted reproduction, gynecology and obstetrics, radiology, cardiology, urology, critical care medicine, general surgery, endovascular medicine, gastroenterology and endoscopy. In particular, Cook Women’s Health is utilizing its expertise to further the advancements in high-risk obstetrics, gynecology and pelvic fl oor repair.

InSightec Ltd.5, Nahum Heth Street • Tirat HaCarmel, 39120 IsraelPhone: 972.4.813.1313 • Fax: 972.4.813.1322

InSightec developed ExAblate“ 2000 using MR guided focused Ultrasound Surgery (MRgFUS), integrating high intensity focused ultrasound energy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to provide a revolutionary, non-invasive, outpatient treatment

modality for uterine fi broids. This alternative procedure reduces recovery time from weeks to days so patients can get back to their lives sooner. For more information, please visit www.insightec,com

Novare Surgical System, Inc.10440 Bubb Road, Ste A • Cupertino, CA 95014 USAPhone: 408.873.3161 • Fax: 408.873.3168Website: www.novaresurgical.com

RealHand Instruments are the fi rst High Dexterity (HD) instruments, a new device category for minimally invasive surgery. Unlike any other surgical technology, RealHand offers 7 degrees of freedom of movement and tactile feedback without the need for additional hardware. 510k cleared, RealHand delivers greater dexterity and control for the surgeon.

Olympus Surgical AmericaOne Corporate Drive • Orangeburg, NY 10962Phone: 800.548.4414 • Fax: 800.833.1482

HD EndoEYE™ is the only high-defi nition (HD) video laparoscope, that when combined with the EVIS EXERA II™ HD imaging system, introduces superior HD imaging to the O.R. HD EndoEYE is truly revolutionizing traditional laparoscopy by introducing the technological advancements of HD to endoscopic surgery.

Sound Surgical Technologies LLCVASER LipoSelection®357 South McCaslin Boulevard, Suite 100 • Louisville, CO 80027Phone: 888.471.4777 • Fax: 303.926.8615Website: www.vaser.com

VASER LipoSelection®, minimally invasive body shaping that utilizes ultrasonic energy to emulsify targeted fat while preserving tissue critical to fast recovery and smooth results, can provide practices additional income while expanding their continuum of care. A comprehensive start-up program includes hands-on CME-accredited training and education/marketing tools designed to support practice growth.

e l e c t i o n s

s Chair of the Nominating Committee, I am pleased to report that the AAGL signifi cantly improved the nomination process this year. In addition to coordinating the process with our strategic plan,

we had an excellent slate of candidates who agreed to run for offi ce, and we successfully instituted a new electronic voting system. With this new system, a record number of ballots were cast. We look forward to the continuous improvement of the nominations process which is critical to the future success of the AAGL. On behalf of the Nominating Committee and membership, I congratulate the new board members and thank all candidates for running.

New Board Members

Secretary-Treasurer:Resad P. Pasic

Trustees - General MembershipGary N. FrishmanJavier F. Magrina

Trustee – Europe/Middle East/AfricaMartin Farrugia, United Kingdom

Trustees – North AmericaKrisztina I. Bajzak, United States

Report of the Nominating Committee

A

G. David Adamson, M.D.Nominating Committee Chair

AAGL Advisor

or the second year in a row AAGL has teamed up with OBGYN.net to produce an online version of selected presentations from the most recent global congress. This year we have included a wonderful new feature,

daily podcast reports from the congress fl oor available online immediately post event at www.aagl.org and www.obgyn.net/aagl2007. Besides the daily overviews given by the Executive Board, news and commentary were provided by both attendees and presenters alike.

Industry support has increased dramatically this year with four of the eight industry sponsored symposia being made available online beginning in January 2007 along with a recast of a portion of the live telesurgery, key presentations and much more. A video walk around of the exhibit hall on the opening

night highlights new technology and it’s just plain fun to watch all the energy in the room. Classic AAGL energy and excitement resonate throughout.

Initially some societies worried that online representation would compromise registration and attendance at the actual meetings. However, AAGL jumped in and said, “Let’s give it a try!” The ability to expose gynecologists worldwide to the energy and educational values of AAGL has driven not only meeting attendance, but membership as well. Due to the AAGL’s pioneer spirit to try something new, OBGYN.net has been approached by other sub-specialty organizations to replicate the success of the AAGL/OBGYN.net collaboration.

m e m b e r s h i p n ew s

AAGL 2007 ONLINE Takes AAGL Meeting to Global Audience

F

t the recent annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael P. Diamond, Chair of the AAGL Research Committee announced the establishment of four new AAGL registries. These registries which deal

with diverse aspects of operative endoscopy, are related to management of cervical ectopic pregnancies, complications of the use of vaginal mesh in urogynecological procedures, and metastases at trocar sites and the vaginal cuff after performance of gynecological oncologic surgical procedures. Prior registries, which are still available for contributions are on the topics

of trocar site complications, vaginal cuff complications after hysterectomy, and pregnancies after endometrial ablation. All registries can be found under the Research Tab on the left side of the AAGL website at “aagl.org”. Contributions to the registries can be made by both AAGL members and non-members. The performance of the registries is conducted under the approval from the Wayne State University IRB, Detroit, MI, USA. For any questions contact Jan Lombardi at jlombardi@aagl.org

Four New AAGL Registries

A

NewsScope

9OCT - DEC 2006

NewsScope

10 OCT- DEC 2006

Maher Abou-Seido, M.D.Jose A. Acosta, M.D.Sang-Tae Ahn, M.D.Olukayode A. Akinlaja, M.D.Damian P. Alagla, M.D.Riccardo Alessandrelli, M.D.Lisa M. Allen, M.D.Lani Almas, M.D.Patrick S. Anderson, M.D.Lawrence A. Anyanwu, M.D.Hipolito Aparicio, M.D.Bruno Arduino, M.D.Nikorn R. Arunakul, M.D.Sunday O. Asaju, M.D.Gem M. Ashby, M.D.Reza Askari, M.D.Rusen Atmaca, M.D.Carlos E. Ayres NettoAugusto Bal Chiari, M.D.Martina Balestri, M.D.Elizabeth E. Ball, M.D., Ph.D.Christina M. Ballonoff, M.D.Christina A. Bandera, M.D.Fariba Behnia-Willison, M.D.Susan L. Benson, M.D.Sergio Bernal Martinez, M.D.Roger D. Beyer, M.D.Nilabha Bhaduri, M.D.Marika Biamonte, M.D.Filippo Biffi gnardi, M.D.Constantine G. Binas, M.D.Daniel U. Boehm, M.D.Roberta Bomardieri, M.D.Pitta C. BorgesDavid M. Boruta, II, M.D.Daniel R. BreazealeMartha J. Brewer, M.D.Keith Robert Brill, M.D.Allyson M. Brooks, M.D., FACOGRaffaele Bruno, M.D.Olaf Ob Buchweitz, M.D.Lori M. Burgess-Rossi, R.N.Jamie P. Burrows, M.D.Maria Giovanna Burza, M.D.Hugh Byrne, M.D.Hugo D. Caceres, M.D.Alfredo Cano, M.D.Dionisia Canzaniello, M.D.Fulvio Cappiello, M.D.

Vittorio Catarinella, M.D.Ursula Catena, M.D.Robert W. Chalmers, IV, M.D.Eric Chan, Ph.D.Manish ChapekarTimothy Cheung, M.D.Babu V. Chithriki, M.D.Hyungjung Cho, M.D.George C. Christoudias, M.D.Kelly E. Clark, M.D.Judy Conforti, R.N.Jennifer R. Cook, M.D.Jamie L. Cooper, D.O.Andrea Gregorio Cosco, M.D.Sebastien Courdier, Jr., M.D.Claudia Cruz, M.D.Faith D. Daggs, M.D.Brian P. Daly, M.D.Garo Damla, M.D.Sasha Davidson, M.D.Albert Ph De Decker, II, M.D.Edward P. Denious, M.D.Shilpa Desai, M.D.Laura Detti, M.D.Barbara Di Michele, M.D.Peter E. Diaz, M.D.Enrique Dominguez, M.D.Richard D. Drake, M.D.Anna T. Dufault, M.D.Larry Dunlap, PA-CRiad El Haj Ahmad, M.D.Eman A. Elkadry, M.D.Susan Ellis, M.D.Sherif A. El-Nashar, M.D.Lucia Emilio, M.D.Godswill A. Etokowo, M.D.Linda L. Fan, M.D.Eric N. Fassler, M.D.Luigi Fedele, M.D.Afaf A. Felemban, M.D.Gianluigi Feminella, M.D.Dayna Finkenzeller, M.D.Linda Fox, M.D.Bertha Franco Tostado, M.D.Paolo Fusco, M.D.Regen Gallagher, D.O.Marco A. GalvanJose Manuel Garza Leal, M.D.Hugo Garzon, M.D.

Francesco GiglioCindy GivensMarcelo Godofredo, M.D.Mauricio C. Godofredo, M.D.Perpetua T. Goodall, M.D.James A. Graham, M.D.Maruizio Guida, M.D.Joanne H. Gutt, M.S., PA-CW. Howard Hall, M.D.Beth Hamilton, M.D.Gerald Hautman, M.D.Sujatha HemrajaniIvan Hernandez, M.D.Halima Holmes, M.D.Susanne E. Hopkins, M.D.Thomas D. Horst, M.D.Stephen B. Hosmer, D.O.George Hubbell, M.D.Joseph Hudgens, M.D.Susan D. Hunter, M.D., FACOGBarbara Hurst, M.D.Socorro Hurtado Perez, M.D.Anhtuan T. Huynh, D.O.Jorge A. Inclan, M.D.Bradut I. IonascuJoseph Iskaros, M.D.Domenico Iuzzolino, M.D.Marjorie Jean-Michel, M.D.Cynthia V. Jean-Pierre, M.D.Teresa M. Jersild, RN, BSNTim V. Johnson, D.O.Cecil R. Jonas, M.D.Un Suk Jung, M.D.Durga R. Kanuru, M.D.Mitch D. Kaplan, M.D.Nari Kay, M.D.Mehdi Kebria, M.D.Jean Dupont Kemfang, M.D.Ram Kerner, M.D.Chang Yee Kim, M.D.Tak Kim, M.D.Yong-Beom Kim, M.D.Young-Jae Kim, M.D.Mustafa Kir, M.D.Ma-Lee Ko, M.D.K. KobikiHiroyuki KoboriJa Seong Koo, M.D.Josephine Kouassi Kassi, M.D.

David Kowalski, M.D.Sergio Lagunes, M.D.Gregory A. Langford, M.D.Thomas A. Lavin, M.D.Jung Yeol Lee, M.D.Jung-Eun Lee, M.D.Kevin J. Lee, M.D.Soo Kyung Lee, M.D.Min Yu Lim, M.D.Carlos Linder, M.D.Sharee L. Livingston, D.O.Holly M. Loesch, M.D.Mark Lowdermilk, M.D.Ana R. Lucena, M.D.Roberta C.F. Mackenzie, M.D.Raymond Mansoor, M.D.Jack Marlotte, MSPaulette Maroun, M.D.Rene Marquez Allegre, M.D.Henrque Martinato, M.D.Gilberto Martinez, M.D.Mary K. Martinie, M.D.Angel Matute-Labrador, M.D.Vince M. McCausland, M.D.David McKnight, M.D.Hector M. Medina, M.D.Donna M. Meixner, R.N.Cynthia G. Mencarelli, R.N.Pullano Menotti, M.D.Kristi Michael, M.D.Anna Mistorni, M.D.Fariba Mohtashami, M.D.Regina P. Montero, R.N.Cindy M. Mosbrucker, M.D.Rosana Mota Velasco Hdez, M.D.Michael F. Neel, M.D.Jyothi R. Nichanametla, M.D.Priscilla L. ObregonJaime E. Ocampo, M.D.Tina R. Odaffer, M.D.Eric Ohana, M.D.Karl Olafsson, M.D.Anna Oliverio, M.D.Maria Ortiz, M.D.Stephanie Palerme, M.D.Stefano Palomba, M.D.Claudio Paloscia, M.D.Jun-Sook Park, M.D.Sang-Yoon Park, M.D.

Welcome New MembersSeptember 1, 2006 to December 14, 2006

see NEW MEMBERS on next page

n ew m e m b e r s

Sung Hoon Park, M.D.Francesca Piccione, M.D.Amy E. Pollack, M.D.Christophe PonceletLuis Ernesto Ramos, M.D.Firooz Ravangard, M.D.Owen Regan, M.D.Thomas J. Reid, M.D.Gerardo P. Reilly, M.D.Mark A. Rettenmaier, M.D.Eric R. Rittenhouse, M.D.Tosha L. Rogers, D.O.Christine Ronanowski, M.D.Jack N. Rothman, M.D.Daniel L. Rowland, M.D.Alicia Ruiz, R.N.

Dana M. Russo, D.O.Khaled Sakhel, M.D.Hesham A.F. Salem, M.D.Bruno Salerno, M.D.Christian J. Sanchez, M.D.Julie A. Sanders, M.DMarco SantagataFrancesco Maria Sbano, M.D.Andrea Scarfi , M.D.Jose M. Septien Guevara, M.D.Ali Reza Shamshirsaz, M.D.Pari ShimoyamaMeera Sinha, M.D.David Small, M.D.Philip J. Smelcer, M.D.Paula L. Smith

Lindsay J. Snyder, M.D.Alejandro Sojo, M.D.Robert D. Southwick, M.D.Hugo R. Sovino, M.D.Roberta SpeyerMichael L Sprague, M.D.Tony Sproston, M.D.Lori J. Stack, M.D.Meliss Stank, M.D.Elizabeth A. Strickland, M.D.Johanna Su, M.D.Staci SwavelyMaureen Swezey, M.D.Ian H. Taras, M.D.Alberto Tartaglione, M.D.Delara Tavakoli, M.D.

Luis F. Tobon, M.D.Dawn Troutman, R.N.Marcial Turcios, M.D.Miguel Umana, M.D.Giacomo Valducci, M.D.Rodrigo A. Vasquez, Jr., M.D.Sebastiaan Veersema, M.D.Danielle Vicus, M.D.Natasha V. Waters, M.D.Sheila Watson, M.D.Simon Weiss, M.D.James L. Wilder, M.D.Ramon E. Year, M.D.Renato Zeloni, M.D.Jorge H. Zepeda-Ortega, M.D.Tina Ziainia, M.D.

11OCT - DEC 2006

NewsScope

a f f i l i a t e d s o c i e t i e s

n ew m e m b e r s ( c o n t . )

he Korean Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy is one of the world’s oldest and largest endoscopic societies. The quality and quantity of their work can be seen by the large number of submissions to the Journal of Minimally

Invasive Gynecology and the many presentations made at the AAGL Annual Meetings.

There are 58 Korean endoscopists who are also members of the AAGL. This makes them one of the largest group of members in Asia and the Pacifi c Rim.

The KSGE’s interest in establishing an evaluation and training program shows they will continue to be leaders in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.

– Franklin D. Loffer, M.D.Executive Vice President/Medical Director

AAGL

NS: When and how was your society estabilished?KSGE: The Korean Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy(KSGE) was founded in December in 1988. Founder President: Yeun Seok Chang, Secretary: Shin Yong Moon. The founding board was composed of endoscopists experienced in endometriosis, infertility, obstetrics as well as oncology.

NS: What is its mission statement/primary goal?KSGE: The primary goals of KSGE are investigation and research for theoretical and applicatory gynecologic endoscopy, and communication of updates and new development in the

endoscopic fi eld. For this purpose, we hold a symposium two times a year and publish the Korean Journal of Gynecologic Endoscopy four times a year. In addition, we are always trying to share knowledge and experience with other societies in the United State, Europe and Asia. Our society plans to establish a scientifi c platform to evaluate training and certifi cation.

NS: Approximately how many members are there?KSGE: We have about 630 members.

NS: What are some of the benefi ts of membership?KSGE: Our members are informed at workshops and symposias and benefi t from reduced registration fees. The Newsletters and the Korean Journal of Gynecologic Endoscopy (ISSN 1229-3849) which is published by the KSGE, are offered to all members. Above all, the updated information provided by this society would be the most important benefi t to our members.

NS: Is there additional information you would like to provide about your society?KSGE: Our society has so many excellent laparoscopists and speakers experienced in infertility, endometriosis, gynecologic oncology and robotic surgery. We are always trying to communicate with other societies such as -AAGL, APAGE etc. Our web site is http://www.ksgendo.or.kr

Korean Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy

TKyu Wan Lee, M.D.

PresidentKorean Society of

Gynecologic Endoscopy

PresidentKyu Wan Lee, M.D.

Vice PresidentJoo Hyun Nam

SecretarySoon Cheol Ho

TreasurerTak Kim

PERIODICALS

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6757 Katel la AvenueCypress, Cal i fornia 90630-5105Tel 714.503.6200 Fax 714.503.6201E-mai l newsscope@aagl.orgWeb site www.aagl .org

NewsScope

f u t u r e m e e t i n g s

AAGL “Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide”

AAGL & AFFILIATED MEETINGS

16th Annual Comprehensive Workshop on Minimally Invasive Gynecology for Residents and Fellows

Fred M. Howard, Scientifi c Program ChairApril 20-21, 2007Hyatt Regency O’Hare – Chicago, Illinois

9th Annual Advanced Workshop on Gynecologic Laparoscopic Anatomy and Minimally Invasive Surgery Including TVT & TVO

Resad P. Pasic, Scientifi c Program ChairJames M. Shwayder, Lab DirectorMay 18-19, 2007The University of Louisville – Louisville, Kentucky

1st AAGL International Congress on Minimally Invasive Gynecology in Conjunction with the 4th Annual SEGi Meeting “Understanding & Treating Abnormal Uterine Bleeding”

Massimo Petrino & Errico Zupi, PresidentsJune 20-24, 2007Palermo, Italy

Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology AAGL 36th Annual Meeting

Charles E. Miller, Scientifi c Program ChairNovember 14-17, 2007Wardman Park Marriott – Washington, D.C.

XVII Annual Congress of the ISGE – World Congress of Gynecological Endoscopy in Affi liation with AAGL Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide

June 4-7, 2007Bari, Italy

2nd AAGL International Congress on Minimally Invasive Gynecology in Conjunction with V Brazilian Congress of SOBENGE “Endometriosis: Individualized Therapies and Strategies for Prevention”

September 3-6, 2008Hotel Serrano – Gramado - Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil