

BackTable Urology
BackTable
The BackTable Urology Podcast is a resource for practicing urologists to learn tips, techniques, and practical advice from their peers in the field. Listen here or on the streaming platform of your choice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 13, 2025 • 48min
Ep. 232 The Pelvic Floor & Sexual Function: What Every Urologist Should Know with Dr. Victoria Mallow
Dr. Victoria Mallow, a pelvic floor physical therapist from Delray Beach, specializes in treating urological conditions. She discusses crucial moments for referring patients to pelvic floor therapy and shares techniques like biofeedback and manual therapy. The episode highlights the importance of collaboration between urologists and physical therapists for effective treatment. Mallow emphasizes the need for patient education and comfort during examinations, and offers travel tips for maintaining pelvic health while on the go.

May 6, 2025 • 29min
Ep. 231 Reflections on Change and Resilience in Urology with Dr. Carol Bennett
What does it mean to be a trailblazer in urology? In this episode of BackTable Urology, host Dr. Claire Yang interviews Dr. Carol Bennett, Professor of Urology at UCLA, who shares her inspiring journey from her early aspirations to becoming the first African American woman certified by the American Board of Urology.
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Bennett discusses her impactful career and notable research in neuro-urology, including breakthroughs in electroejaculation for patients with spinal cord injury. Dr. Bennett also reflects on her experiences with mentorship from notable urologists, overcoming barriers, and the importance of perseverance. The discussion highlights her enduring dedication to the field and her role as an inspiration to trainees, colleagues, and patients.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction04:27 - Choosing Urology06:02 - Pioneering Research in Neuro-Urology13:23 - Challenges and Mentorship18:40 - Changes and Trends in Urology23:01 - Work-Life Balance and Personal Insights26:29 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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RESOURCES
Society of Women in Urologyhttps://swiu.org/home.aspx

Apr 29, 2025 • 45min
Ep. 230 Gut Instincts: GI Fundamentals for Urology Providers Who Want to Elevate Care with Dr. Michelle Pearlman
Can a basic understanding of gastroenterology make you a better urologist? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Amy Pearlman is joined by gastroenterologist (and twin sister) Dr. Michelle Pearlman to discuss nutrition, exercise, and the interplay of common gastrointestinal and urinary conditions.
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SYNPOSIS
The discussion begins with an emphasis on the significance of dietary fiber and protein in promoting digestive health, highlighting their role in preventing common gastrointestinal issues. Dr. Michelle then covers GLP-1 agonist medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, delving into their effects on weight management and outlining potential side effects that are relevant across both gastroenterology and urology.
Throughout the conversation, the sisters examine the interrelated nature of gastrointestinal and urinary conditions, emphasizing how thoughtful nutritional choices and regular exercise can support overall patient health. They also advocate for proactive management of constipation, especially after surgery. The episode concludes with practical resources that physicians can integrate into their practice to enhance patient care.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction05:14 - GLP-1 Agonist Overview10:55 - Muscle Mass and Sarcopenia14:14 - Preventing Frailty: Hormones, Nutrition, and Exercise21:23 - High-Quality Protein Options24:42 - Inflammation, Gut Health, and Cancer Risk34:34 - Post-Surgery Nutrition and Recovery42:25 - Final Thoughts
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RESOURCES
Prime Institute Miami:https://www.primeinstitute.us/

Apr 25, 2025 • 55min
Ep. 229 Consideraciones Prácticas en Terapia Hormonal Femenina con Dr. Pamela Silen Rivera
Esta semana en BackTable Urology, el Dr. José Silva entrevista a la obstetra y ginecóloga Dra. Pamela Silén-Rivera sobre la terapia de reemplazo de estrógeno, específicamente disipando mitos y su experiencia en el avance de la salud de la mujer en Puerto Rico.
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SYNPOSIS
La conversación aborda las complejidades y desafíos en el tratamiento de la menopausia y la salud sexual de la mujer, incluyendo el uso de hormonas bioidénticas, testosterona y tratamientos personalizados. La Dra. Silén-Rivera destaca la importancia de la educación tanto para los profesionales médicos como para las pacientes, y habla sobre la necesidad de productos específicos para mujeres aprobados por la FDA. Además, discuten temas como las alternativas al reemplazo hormonal.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Antecedentes y experiencia en salud sexual de la mujer
06:02 - Síntomas de la menopausia y enfoques de tratamiento
17:25 - Tratamiento personalizado y riesgos
29:23 - Terapia de reemplazo hormonal y anticonceptivos
33:00 - Terapia de testosterona en mujeres
43:45 - Educar a las futuras generaciones sobre la terapia hormonal
49:20 - La importancia del estrógeno vaginal
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RESOURCES
Centro de Bienestar para la Mujer
https://www.centrobienestarmujer.com/

Apr 23, 2025 • 39min
Ep. 228 Multidisciplinary Approaches to Renal Cancer Care with Dr. Louis Hinshaw and Dr. Jason Abel
This week we bring together urologists and radiologists to work towards a shared goal of innovating on kidney cancer care. Dr. Jason Abel, Professor of Urology and Radiology at the University of Wisconsin, and Dr. Louis Hinshaw, Section Chief of Abdominal Imaging Intervention at the University of Wisconsin, join our host Dr. Ruchika Talwar for a multidisciplinary conversation regarding the treatment of renal tumors.
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This podcast is supported by:
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
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SYNPOSIS
Their discussion covers the history and benefits of collaboration between urology and interventional radiology (IR), advances in image-guided procedural technologies, and the importance of teamwork in improving patient outcomes. The episode also considers the encouraging, but limited data in IR treatments such as microwave ablation and discusses the lasting role for surgery. Finally, Dr. Abel and Dr. Hinshaw share their experiences in establishing a successful interdisciplinary kidney cancer program. Ultimately, they conclude that the future of renal tumor treatment lies not in silos, but in collaboration.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
04:04 - Collaboration Between Urologists and Interventional Radiologists
05:58 - Advancements in Ablation
10:05 - Patient Selection
15:19 - Technical Considerations
26:57 - Post-Ablation Surveillance and Recurrence Management
33:19 - Conclusion

Apr 22, 2025 • 57min
Ep. 227 Tumor Board: Multidisciplinary Management of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors with Dr. Nabil Adra and Dr. Richard Matulewicz
What does it take to deliver truly personalized, multidisciplinary care in testicular cancer? Get an inside look in this episode of BackTable Urology, where renowned testicular cancer experts Dr. Nabil Adra and Dr. Richard Matulewicz join host Dr. Aditya Bagrodia for a virtual tumor board session on the nuanced management of germ cell tumors. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Society of Urologic Oncology.
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This podcast is supported by:
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
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SYNPOSIS
The expert panel uses specific patient cases to review their decision-making processes on the use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. They highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, particularly for advanced disease and challenging surgical scenarios. The episode reviews patient-specific factors, standard treatment protocols, post-treatment surveillance, and the latest research. This episode also highlights the benefits of personalized cancer care.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
01:45 - Case Presentation: 23-Year-Old Male with Testicular Mass
02:14 - Initial Counseling and Management
04:03 - Orchiectomy and Post-Surgery
06:27 - Stage I Management
10:00 - Surveillance and Adjuvant Therapy
13:56 - Recurrence
23:13 - Case Study: 44-Year-Old with Non-Seminoma
28:14 - Case Study: 17-Year-Old with Developmental Delay and Cancer
29:42 - Chemotherapy Decisions
30:31 - Brain Imaging and Metastasis Predictions
33:54 - Chemotherapy Regimens
35:53 - Monitoring and Salvage Therapy
45:01 - Case Study: 21-Year-Old with Teratoma
55:21 - Concluding Thoughts
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RESOURCES
Society of Urologic Oncology:
https://suonet.org/home.aspx

11 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 52min
Ep. 226 Pathways to Leadership in Academic Medicine with Dr. Marisa Clifton
Have you noticed that urologists tend to have an outsized presence and interest in healthcare leadership and administrative positions? In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Marisa Clifton, an associate professor and Associate Chief Medical Officer at Johns Hopkins, discusses her experiences in executive leadership with host Dr. Michelle Van Kuiken. This episode was produced in collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU).---SYNPOSISDr. Clifton shares her journey evolving from surgery and clinical medicine to hospital administration, highlighting the importance of mentorship, skill-building, and strategic decision-making. She discusses her journey towards finding a balance between clinical practice and administrative roles. She also highlights the challenges and rewards of working in hospital leadership. This episode offers key guidance on obtaining mentorship, coaching, and executive presence. This candid conversation provides valuable insights for any physician interested in leadership roles.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction02:28 - Dr. Marisa Clifton's Career Journey13:03 - Balancing Clinical and Administrative Roles17:01 - Challenges and Growth in Leadership25:31 - Balancing Clinical Medicine and Hospital Administration28:08 - Improving Communication Between Clinicians and Administrators32:20 - Leadership Development38:02 - The Role of Coaching43:13 - Final Thoughts and Future Directions---RESOURCESSociety of Women in Urologyhttps://swiu.org/home.aspx

Apr 8, 2025 • 39min
Ep. 225 How Surgeon Sex Impacts Patient Outcomes with Dr. Chris Wallis
Can the gender of your surgeon influence your outcome after surgery? New research says yes. In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Christopher J.D. Wallis, a prominent urologic oncologist and health services researcher in Toronto, joins guest host Dr. Casey Seideman for a pivotal conversation at the intersection of surgical outcomes, gender, and health equity. This episode was developed in collaboration with the Society of Women in Urology (SWIU).---SYNPOSISDrawing from extensive studies and meta-analyses, Dr. Wallace highlights a significant mortality benefit for patients treated by female surgeons. The episode explores how these findings have sparked discussions on surgeon practices, patient care, and gender equity in medicine. Dr. Wallace also shares personal experiences to underline the importance of diversity and inclusive practices in healthcare. Finally, the two urologists discuss challenges faced when supporting diversity efforts and opportunities for future progress.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction04:01 - Personal Experience with Gender Bias in Surgery07:05 - Groundbreaking Data on Surgeon Sex and Patient Outcomes12:23 - Long-Term Outcomes and Consistency in Data14:14 - Hypotheses and Underlying Reasons for Better Outcomes with Female Surgeons20:18 - Impact on Healthcare Costs and Productivity26:14 - Challenges and Pushback in the Medical Community35:05 - Conclusion---RESOURCESSociety of Women in Urologyhttps://swiu.org/home.aspx

Apr 4, 2025 • 38min
Ep. 224 A Urologist’s Journey Through Mental Health and Addiction with Dr. Nishant Patel
Urology was recently named the most burned out specialty in the medical field – a title that we’re not particularly proud of. How can we better support ourselves and one another, and take real steps towards improving career satisfaction and mental health within our specialty? In this episode of the BackTable Urology Podcast, Dr. Nishant Patel, a urologist from San Diego bravely shares his personal struggles with depression, substance abuse, and suicidality with host Dr. Aditya Bagrodia; and how he overcame the lowest points in his career.---SYNPOSISDr. Patel details his journey from growing up in a small town in Arizona to becoming a successful urologist. He discusses the internal battles, external pressures, and pivotal moments that shaped his life and career. He then highlights the importance of peer support and introduces his new initiative, SafeHavenMD, a platform designed to provide confidential, peer-to-peer support for physicians dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. This episode is a must-listen as it offers a raw and emotional insight into the often unseen challenges faced by medical professionals.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction03:29 - Early Signs of Alcoholism03:56 - Medical School and Escalating Alcohol Use05:43 - Journey to Sobriety08:26 - Creating SafeHavenMD19:40 - Personal Experience and Resources20:20 - Handling Complications and Peer Support21:47 - SafeHavenMD: An Overview23:05 - Monitoring Programs and Confidentiality24:19 - Disclosing Issues and Seeking Help34:11 - Closing Message to the Audience

Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep. 223 Transitioning Pediatric Urology to Adult Care with Dr. Ryan Mauck
Attention trainees and general urologists: this episode is for you! Learn the basics of pediatric urology and core principles for building a practice in transitional urology, directly from the experts. In this episode of BackTable Urology, pediatric urologists Nicco Passoni and Arthi Hannallah, join guest host Dr. Ryan Mauck to discuss the most common conditions they see.---SYNPOSISThe discussion covers a broad spectrum of topics in the transition of pediatric urology patients to adult care. Key highlights include self-catheterization, testicular torsion, bladder augmentation, and patients with a history of pediatric surgeries or spina bifida. Dr. Mauck emphasizes a collaborative discussion on the importance of managing conditions independently versus seeking specialized help for these complex patient situations.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction03:41 - Testicular Torsion Emergencies08:45 - Common Challenges in Pediatric Urology16:34 - Bladder Augmentation and Rupture27:24 - Self-Catheterization30:25 - Reflux and Reimplantation35:25 - Managing Pediatric Urology Patients in Adulthood46:47 - Outpatient Management of Reconstructed Bladders50:58 - Embracing a Multidisciplinary Approach54:02 - Key Takeaways