Neurourology and Urodynamics 26:2 (2007)

SUFU 2006 Introduction

It is my honor to introduce the second SUFU edition ofNeurourology & Urodynamics highlighting the proceedingsfrom the 2006 winter meeting. The study of lower urinarytract dysfunction and pelvic medicine has become quitediverse, and the Society of Urodynamics and FemaleUrologyhas become actively engaged in creating a conduit for theadvancement of scienti¢c discourse in all of these areas. Activepartnerships with sub-specialty societies (the InternationalSociety of Pelvic Neuromodulation and the Society of Geni-tourinaryReconstructive Surgeons), along with organizationssuch as the International Continence Society, as well asrecognizing the many accomplished investigators in the areaof benign prostatic hyperplasia, are a way to ensure a compre-hensive and multidisciplinary approach to the study of pelvic£oor disorders in men and women. This expanding collabora-tion has been most rewarding, and one can see by the varietyof works in this edition the diversity and scope included inthese endeavors.

A highlight of the annual meeting is to have a chance torecognize some of our extraordinary members. Thesemembers have provided signi¢cant contributions to oursociety, and at the 2006 meeting this was clearly no di¡erent.Dr. GeorgeWebster, Professor of Urology at DukeUniversityMedical Center, was chosen to receive our Lifetime RecipientAward.This award recognizes the many contributions that DrWebster has provided (and still does) in the ¢elds of pelvicreconstructive surgery and urodynamics. We are honored tohave Dr. Webster, widely recognized as a leading authorityin our ¢eld, as a member. Dr. Christopher Smith, AssistantProfessor of Urology at Baylor School of Medicine in Hous-ton, was selected as the Zimskin Award winner. This awardrecognizes individuals who have made substantial contribu-tions to our society within 10 years of completing their train-ing. Dr. Smith’s selection recognizes the many insightfulpresentations he has given to our society over the years, pro-viding many of us with a new and better understanding of thepathophysiology of overactive bladder and the application ofbotulinum toxin to various lower urinary tract disorders.Weare very fortunate to have a number of talented investigatorssuch as Dr. Smith, and it is very gratifying to be able to re-cognize their e¡orts.

We are also pleased to feature our two essay contest win-ners in this edition. The basic science essay winner ‘‘Bladder

Smooth Muscle Caveolae Di¡erentially Regulate SignalTransduction Pathways,’’ by Cristofaro et al. (pp. 71̂ 80) high-lights several excellent basic science manuscripts in this issue(e.g., Braverman et al., pp. 63^70; and Phull et al., pp. 81^88).The clinical essay contest winner,‘‘A Randomized ProspectiveStudy Comparing the E⁄cacy of TwoTest StimulationTechni-ques for SacralNeuromodulation inUrge IncontinentWomen�55 Years of Age’’ by Borawski et al. (pp. 14^18) examines thecomplex issue of neuromodulation.The clinical articles exam-ine highly relevant topics including sling procedures and pel-vic organ prolapse (Amrute et al., pp. 53^58; Botros et al.,pp. 42^45; Deng et al., pp. 46^52; and Juma and Brito, pp. 37^41). Dyelwski et al. (pp. 3^7) and Twiss et al. (pp. 8^13) providethe readers with insightful analysis and comparison of com-monly used diagnostic assessments of urinary incontinence.Neuromodulation is further examined by Sutherland et al.(pp. 19^28) who present a 1 year experience, and by Starkmanet al. (pp. 29^35) who examine the role of neuromodulation ina di⁄cult group of patients following urogynecologic proce-dures. Finally, Langford et al. (pp. 59^62) highlight a techni-que of levator anti-trigger point injections in selective womensu¡ering from pelvic pain.Overall the diversity of the works of all of our members is

highlighted in this edition. As we continue to explore all areasof pelvic £oor and lower urinary tract dysfunction, ourgrowth is inevitable. On behalf of the Executive Committeeof the Society of Urodynamics and Female Urology, Iwould like to thank all of the authors who participatedin this edition. I sincerely appreciate their time and energy.Additionally, the editorial sta¡ of Neurourology & Uro-dynamics should be commended for their work and support.JenTidman has been an invaluable resource and helped us allstay on task.The works highlighted here represent only a glimpse of

the quality and scope of the work presented at the annualmeeting. We are most grateful for all who participate in oursociety and continually strive to make it a better experiencefor everyone.

ChrisWinters*Executive Committee

Society of Urodynamics and FemaleUrology

*Correspondence to: ChrisWinters, M.D., Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514Je¡erson HighwayAT-04W, New Orleans, LA 70121.E-mail: cwinters@ochsner.orgPublished online 12 December 2006 inWiley InterScience(www.interscience.wiley.com)DOI 10.1002/nau.20400

�2006Wiley-Liss, Inc.