Yu-Chen Chen

. Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Urology Department, Attending Physician . TUA, Pediatric Urology Committee, Vice Chair . TUA, Young Affairs Committee, Vice Chair . Taiwan Continence Society (TCS), Deputy Secretary-General

12th August 2025 - Asian Urology Residents' Courses (AURC)

Time Session
10:20
11:50
Pediatric Urology
Carlos Mon TorresPhilippines Moderator
  • Updates on Vesicoureteral Reflux
    Yu-Hua FanTaiwan Speaker Updates on Vesicoureteral RefluxVesicoureteral reflux (VUR) remains a critical topic in pediatric urology, with ongoing debates surrounding its diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes. This presentation will provide an updated overview of the current understanding of VUR, including recent advances in imaging techniques, risk stratification, and non-surgical versus surgical treatment options. Emerging evidence on the natural history of VUR, the role of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, and evolving criteria for surgical intervention will be discussed. The session will also highlight recent guideline updates, innovations in endoscopic injection materials, and strategies for individualized patient care. By integrating recent clinical data and expert consensus, this talk aims to provide practical insights into optimizing VUR management in contemporary practice.
  • Urolithiasis in Pediatric Patients
    Sajid SultanPakistan Speaker Urolithiasis in Pediatric Patients
  • What We Should Know about Sexual Development Disorders
    Yu-Chen ChenTaiwan Speaker What We Should Know about Sexual Development Disorders Disorders of Sexual Development (DSDs) represent a spectrum of congenital conditions involving atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Early identification and accurate diagnosis are essential for guiding clinical management and psychosocial support. This talk will provide an overview of the classification of DSDs, including 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, and sex chromosome DSDs, and highlight key diagnostic steps such as hormonal profiling, genetic testing, and imaging studies. Common conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), and gonadal dysgenesis will be discussed, with emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric endocrinologists, geneticists, surgeons, and psychologists. Practical considerations in gender assignment, surgical timing, and long-term follow-up will also be addressed. This session aims to equip urology residents with the essential knowledge to recognize and contribute to the care of patients with DSDs.
  • Case Presentation and Discussion
TWTC - 2F Conference Room 5

15th August 2025

Time Session
13:30
15:00
Pediatric 1
Debate on Pediatric VUR and UPJO
  • Opening
    Stephen S. YangTaiwan Speaker UTI & Hydronephrosis: What's New and Asian Guideline UpdateHydronephrosis is a common urological condition in both adults and children. It is frequently associated with urinary tract infection (UTI). However, not all hydronephrosis means upper urinary tract obstruction (UUTO). So, differentiating hydronephrosis into pathological or physiological is important. In pathological hydronephrosis or UUTO, risk factors of UTI should be identified. While in physiological UTI, no further study is required. In this lecture, classification of upper urinary tract dilatation will be introduced, including SFU and UTD system. Other than intra-venous pyelourography, diuretic renal scan can be useful in differentiating hydronephrosis into physiological or pathological hydronephrosis. Pitfalls in interpreting diuretic renogram will be discussed. A brief review of risk factors of UTI will be done. Finally, Asian guideline on UTI will be updated.
  • Debate: To Do or Not to Do Surgery for High Grade (IV-V) Vesicoureteral Reflux
    Grahame SmithAustralia Moderator
    Yu-Chen ChenTaiwan Moderator What We Should Know about Sexual Development Disorders Disorders of Sexual Development (DSDs) represent a spectrum of congenital conditions involving atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Early identification and accurate diagnosis are essential for guiding clinical management and psychosocial support. This talk will provide an overview of the classification of DSDs, including 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, and sex chromosome DSDs, and highlight key diagnostic steps such as hormonal profiling, genetic testing, and imaging studies. Common conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), and gonadal dysgenesis will be discussed, with emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric endocrinologists, geneticists, surgeons, and psychologists. Practical considerations in gender assignment, surgical timing, and long-term follow-up will also be addressed. This session aims to equip urology residents with the essential knowledge to recognize and contribute to the care of patients with DSDs.
  • Proposition for VUR Surgery
    Kentaro Mizuno Japan Speaker Proposition for VUR Surgery
  • Opposition to VUR Surgery
    Shin-Mei WongTaiwan Speaker Opposition to VUR SurgeryVesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is closely associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and renal scarring in neonates and children. Primary VUR attributes its pathogenesis to a congenitally short submucosal ureteral tunnel, resulting in inadequate ureterovesical junction resistance. This concept has informed the development of various surgical techniques aimed at increasing ureteral resistance. However, emerging evidence suggests that surgical correction does not consistently offer superior long-term renal outcomes compared to continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP). This raises important concerns regarding the role of surgery as the treatment for high-grade VUR. Given the heterogeneity of VUR, underlying factors such as elevated detrusor pressure, increased urethral resistance, or persistently low ureteral resistance must be thoroughly evaluated and addressed prior to surgical intervention. As VUR remains one of the most debated conditions in pediatric urology, further studies are essential to improve risk stratification and refine treatment algorithms to optimize both infection control and renal preservation.
  • Challenges from the Floor
  • Advancement in the Management of Pediatric Hydronephrosis and UPJO
    Yoshiyuki KojimaJapan Moderator
    Yu-Hua FanTaiwan Moderator Updates on Vesicoureteral RefluxVesicoureteral reflux (VUR) remains a critical topic in pediatric urology, with ongoing debates surrounding its diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes. This presentation will provide an updated overview of the current understanding of VUR, including recent advances in imaging techniques, risk stratification, and non-surgical versus surgical treatment options. Emerging evidence on the natural history of VUR, the role of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, and evolving criteria for surgical intervention will be discussed. The session will also highlight recent guideline updates, innovations in endoscopic injection materials, and strategies for individualized patient care. By integrating recent clinical data and expert consensus, this talk aims to provide practical insights into optimizing VUR management in contemporary practice.
  • Postnatal Hydronephrosis: How to D/D Obstructive from Non-Obstructive Hydronephrosis
    Jae-Min Chung Korea (Republic of) Speaker Postnatal Hydronephrosis: How to D/D Obstructive from Non-Obstructive Hydronephrosis
  • Which Surgical Treatment is Best for UPJO in Infants: Open, Laparoscopic, Robotic Assisted
    Shang-Jen ChangTaiwan Speaker Which Surgical Treatment is Best for UPJO in Infants: Open, Laparoscopic, Robotic AssistedAbstract Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in infants is a condition that can significantly impair renal function and requires timely surgical intervention when certain criteria are met, such as decreased split renal function, poor drainage on diuretic renography, or recurrent urinary tract infections. The three main surgical approaches for treating UPJO are open pyeloplasty (OP), laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP), and robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP). Each technique has its own benefits and limitations, especially when applied to infants. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including LP and RALP, has gained popularity in pediatric urology due to advantages such as shorter hospital stays, reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic outcomes. However, the small working space in infants, the steep learning curve, and higher costs are significant limitations. In particular, the utility of MIS in infants remains controversial due to undefined benefits and technical challenges, including limited space for trocar placement and difficulty in intracorporeal suturing. Current guidelines from the European Association of Urology (EAU) indicate that while RALP is considered the gold standard for older pediatric patients, its role in infants remains less defined due to anatomical and logistical constraints. Open surgery continues to be the mainstay for infantile UPJO due to its well-established success rate and lower cost. Several studies have addressed the learning curve associated with these techniques. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty requires about 30 cases for a surgeon to achieve proficiency, while RALP demands approximately 18–31 cases depending on the metrics used. Simulation-based training, dry labs, and multicenter collaboration are proposed solutions to accelerate skill acquisition and ensure patient safety. Cost is another critical consideration. Although RALP generally incurs higher upfront costs, especially in low-volume centers, innovations such as magnetic stents have helped offset some of these expenses by eliminating the need for anesthesia during stent removal. Moreover, the availability of pediatric-specific robotic instruments remains limited and necessitates ongoing development to fully support MIS in smaller patients. In conclusion, while RALP is increasingly recognized as the standard for pediatric UPJO, its application in infants should be considered selectively, depending on surgeon experience, institutional resources, and patient anatomy. Open pyeloplasty remains a safe and effective option, particularly in very young children. Advances in surgical training, cost reduction strategies, and instrument development will be key to expanding the use of minimally invasive techniques in this population.
  • How I do It: Laparoscopic and Robotic Assisted Pyeloplasty
    Sujit ChowdharyIndia Speaker How I do It: Laparoscopic and Robotic Assisted Pyeloplasty aim is to present the technical points with illustrative cases on the learning experience of over 600 newborn / open / laparoscopic / robotic pyeloplasties for Pelviureteric junction obstruction along with long term follow up and management approach to complications over a twenty year follow up .
  • Discussion
  • Closing
TICC - 2F 201AF
15:30
17:00
Free Paper 【Moderated Poster】 (6)
Pediatric Urology & Infectious Disease
Aziz AbdullahPakistan Moderator MIS in the Management of Urethral Stricture
Yu-Chen ChenTaiwan Moderator What We Should Know about Sexual Development Disorders Disorders of Sexual Development (DSDs) represent a spectrum of congenital conditions involving atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Early identification and accurate diagnosis are essential for guiding clinical management and psychosocial support. This talk will provide an overview of the classification of DSDs, including 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, and sex chromosome DSDs, and highlight key diagnostic steps such as hormonal profiling, genetic testing, and imaging studies. Common conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), and gonadal dysgenesis will be discussed, with emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric endocrinologists, geneticists, surgeons, and psychologists. Practical considerations in gender assignment, surgical timing, and long-term follow-up will also be addressed. This session aims to equip urology residents with the essential knowledge to recognize and contribute to the care of patients with DSDs.
TICC - 3F North Lounge

17th August 2025

Time Session
13:30
15:30
Take Home Message
Yen-Chuan OuTaiwan Moderator ARUS–PRUS Partnership Ceremony: A New Chapter in Asia Robotic Urology CollaborationDear colleagues and friends, It’s a great honor to witness the signing of this partnership between the Asian Robotic Urology Society (ARUS) and the Philippines Robotic Urology Society (PRUS). This marks the beginning of a new chapter in regional collaboration—one that emphasizes shared training, joint research, and mutual support to advance robotic urology across Asia. PRUS brings energy, expertise, and vision to this partnership, and ARUS is proud to walk alongside you as we work toward higher standards and better outcomes for our patients. Let us move forward together—with unity, purpose, and innovation. Congratulations to both ARUS and PRUS!Aquablation Revolutionizing BPH Treatment: A New Era of Minimally Invasive Therapy-Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital ExperienceIntroduction Aquablation is a waterjet ablation therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has gained significant attention. While its efficacy, durability, and safety have been established across various prostate sizes (30–150 mL), local data on its efficacy, safety, and learning curve in Taiwan remain limited. Our team have been performed 85 cases between March 2024 and July 2025. This lecture presents the learning curve observed in the first 50 patients who underwent Aquablation for BPH, highlighting its role in revolutionizing BPH treatment. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients who underwent Aquablation between March 2024 and February 2025, dividing them into two groups: Group I (first 25 cases) and Group II (subsequent 25 cases). Assessments included IPSS, QoL, uroflowmetry parameters (voiding volume, Qmax, Qmean, PVR), operative time, hemoglobin drop, Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2 complications, hospital stay, and urethral catheter duration. Results Patients in Group II were younger and had smaller prostates. Aquablation was successfully performed in all cases. IPSS, QoL, voiding volume, Qmax, and Qmean improved significantly and were sustained for three months, while PVR improved only in Group I. Operative time was significantly shorter in Group II, and hemoglobin drop was greater in Group I. Complication rates, hospital stay, and catheter duration were similar between groups. Conclusions Aquablation provided significant and immediate improvements in voiding parameters and symptoms, with sustained PVR benefits in larger prostates. Surgeon proficiency improved after 25 cases. Overall, Aquablation proved safe and effective, even in an unselected patient population. Aquablation represents a promising advancement that could transform the therapeutic landscape for BPH—particularly if costs are reduced.Experience of 100 Consecutive Hugo Robotic Radical ProstatectomiesIntroduction and background: Dr. Ou’ surgical team of Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital performed the first Hugo robotic radical prostatectomy on May 9, 2023. In 2023, we published the results of the first series of 12 Hugo robotic radical prostatectomies performed. In 2024, we published a comparison of 30 Hugo robotic radical prostatectomies and 30 Da Vinci robotic radical prostatectomies. Professor Ou is the Hugo robotic arm instructor recognized by Medtronic. Many Southeast Asian doctors come to this Hospital to observe the surgery and learn. Material and Methods: We prospectively collected data for retrospective analysis and statistics from May 9, 2023 to April 30, 2025, performing 100 consecutive Hugo robotic radical prostatectomies. We compared the surgical results of 1-50 cases (group 1) and 51-100 cases (group 2). The data analyzed included basic information, age, risk of anesthesia, BMI , prostate-specific antigen, clinical stage, and Gleason score grade. The two groups were compared in terms of surgical difficulty, receipt of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, obesity, prostate volume >70 g, prostate protrusion more than 1 cm into the bladder neck, previous transurethral resection of prostate, history of abdominal surgery, extensive pelvic lymphadenectomy, salvage radical prostatectomy, and time from biopsy to radical prostatectomy less than 6 weeks. The two groups were compared in terms of robotic console time, blood loss, blood transfusion rate, and surgical complications. We compared the two groups in terms of postoperative pathological staging and grade, the proportion of tumor, and the proportion of urinary control at one month and three months. Results: The study showed that the age of patients in the second group was slightly higher, but the statistical p value was 0.058, which did not reach statistical difference. The second group of patients had significantly higher rates of stage III, stage IV, lymph node and bone oligometastasis, with a p value of 0.021. The rate of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy received by the second group was 16 percent, which was statistically significant compared with 2 percent of the first group (p = 0.021). The rates of other surgical difficulty factors were the same between the two groups. The average blood loss of patients in the second group was 156 CC, which was significantly less than the 208 CC in the first group. The operation time and surgical complications were comparable between the two groups. The cancer volume of the second group of patients was significantly reduced compared with that of the first group (3.30±2.93 versus 5.09±5.24, p value=0.049). The reason was that more patients in the second group received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, which significantly reduced the cancer. Both groups of patients had very good urinary control after surgery. Conclusion: We conclude that Hugo robotic radical prostatectomy is an effective and feasible method with extremely low complications and good recovery of urinary control function after surgery. After the experience of the first 50 operations, the surgeon will choose patients with higher difficulty, especially those receiving neoadjuvant hormone therapy, to perform the operation.Total Solution of Maintenance of Urinary and Sex Function during Robotic Radical ProstatectomyBackground: Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become a preferred surgical approach for localized prostate cancer due to its minimally invasive nature and precision. However, the preservation of urinary continence and sexual function remains a significant postoperative challenge. Traditional outcomes have focused heavily on oncological safety. Yet, contemporary perspectives emphasize a more holistic view—embodied in the concept of the “Pentafecta,” which includes continence, potency, negative surgical margins, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and absence of perioperative complications. Objective: This presentation introduces a comprehensive and integrative approach aimed at maximizing functional outcomes—particularly urinary continence and erectile function—through a modified pubovesical complex-sparing RARP under regional hypothermia, supplemented with real-time nerve imaging, neurovascular preservation strategies, and biological enhancement techniques. Methods: We present data and experience from Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital (TTMHH), including a series of 3780 robotic procedures performed between December 2005 and July 2025. Among these, 100 cases were completed using the Hugo™ RAS system and 21 with the da Vinci SP™ platform. Our modified technique builds upon Dr. Richard Gaston’s pubovesical complex-sparing method, with the addition of localized hypothermia (24°C), near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG), and application of dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (dHACM). In selected cases, nerve grafting with Axogen® technology was applied. Results: Initial results indicate a significantly improved early return of continence (95% by 16 weeks) and promising erectile function recovery, particularly in patients who received adjunctive therapies such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors or vacuum erection devices. The precision afforded by robotic technology enabled preservation of prostate capsular arteries and accessory pudendal arteries. Localized hypothermia contributed to reduced tissue edema, minimized neural trauma, and improved nerve recovery. The use of ICG-NIRF allowed real-time identification of critical vascular landmarks, enhancing nerve-sparing accuracy. Preliminary analysis suggests our technique is both feasible and reproducible. Conclusion: The modified pubovesical complex-sparing RARP under hypothermia, augmented with vascular imaging and biologic materials, offers a promising paradigm for functional preservation in prostate cancer surgery. This total solution approach not only protects neurovascular integrity but also accelerates recovery of continence and potency. Continued accumulation of clinical cases and controlled comparative studies are warranted to further validate the efficacy and long-term benefits of these techniques. Significance: This strategy reflects a patient-centered evolution in robotic prostate surgery, merging surgical innovation with anatomical preservation and technological augmentation. It represents an epic collaboration of surgical precision, team-based care, and thoughtful application of biomedical advances to improve quality of life outcomes in prostate cancer patients.Total Solution of Maintenance of Urinary and Sex Function during Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
  • Urolithiasis
    Yung-Tai ChenTaiwan Speaker
  • Transplantation
    Gu-Shun LaiTaiwan Speaker
  • Oncology
    Po-Hung LinTaiwan Speaker Robotic Prostatectomy Using da Vinci SP SystemIn this semi-live section I will demonstrate the steps of extraperitoneal-approach radical prostatectomy using DAVINCI SP system.How to Make the Best Decision with Systemic Therapy Sequence in Respective of Genetic AnalysisRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a biologically heterogeneous disease driven by a limited set of convergent pathways that together shape oncogenesis, immune evasion, and therapeutic response. Across clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), recurrent alterations include VHL, PBRM1, BAP1, and SETD2, mapping onto five dominant axes: hypoxia signaling (VHL–HIF), PI3K/AKT/mTOR, chromatin remodeling, cell-cycle control, and metabolic rewiring. These lesions variably interact—e.g., mTORC1 enhances HIF translation—creating therapeutic opportunities (VEGF tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, HIF-2α inhibition, mTOR blockade) and constraints (adaptive resistance via metabolic plasticity). While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and ICI–TKI combinations have improved outcomes in metastatic RCC, robust predictive biomarkers remain elusive. Tumor mutational burden is typically low and noninformative; PD-L1 shows assay- and context-dependent utility; PBRM1 and BAP1 are more prognostic than predictive. Emerging signals include angiogenic versus T-effector/myeloid transcriptional signatures, sarcomatoid/rhabdoid histology as a surrogate of immune-inflamed state, and host factors such as HLA genotype and gut microbiome composition. Liquid-biopsy modalities (ctDNA and methylome profiling) and spatial/single-cell atlases reveal intratumoral heterogeneity, T-cell exclusion niches, and myeloid programs (e.g., TREM2⁺ macrophages) linked to recurrence or ICI benefit. Early data support metabolism-targeted strategies (e.g., glutaminase inhibition) and rational combinations co-targeting angiogenesis, hypoxia signaling, and immune checkpoints; however, toxicity management and resistance evolution require prospective, biomarker-integrated trials. A clinical schema that pairs baseline multi-omic and microenvironmental profiling with adaptive surveillance (serial liquid biopsies, functional imaging) can lead to dynamically select among ICI–ICI, ICI–TKI, targeted, and experimental regimens. Robotic Prostatectomy Using da Vinci SP System
  • Robot
    Yueh Pan Speaker
  • Infection
    Marcelo ChenTaiwan Speaker
  • Pediatrics
    Yu-Chen ChenTaiwan Speaker What We Should Know about Sexual Development Disorders Disorders of Sexual Development (DSDs) represent a spectrum of congenital conditions involving atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Early identification and accurate diagnosis are essential for guiding clinical management and psychosocial support. This talk will provide an overview of the classification of DSDs, including 46,XX DSD, 46,XY DSD, and sex chromosome DSDs, and highlight key diagnostic steps such as hormonal profiling, genetic testing, and imaging studies. Common conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), and gonadal dysgenesis will be discussed, with emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric endocrinologists, geneticists, surgeons, and psychologists. Practical considerations in gender assignment, surgical timing, and long-term follow-up will also be addressed. This session aims to equip urology residents with the essential knowledge to recognize and contribute to the care of patients with DSDs.
  • Andrology
    林崇裕Taiwan Speaker
TICC - 3F Banquet Hall