Rene Sotelo, MD

Professor of Clinical Urology

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Overview

Rene Sotelo MD is one of the most expert & experienced laparoscopic/robotic surgeons internationally. Hailing from Latin America, he is a pioneer in robotic surgery for complex urinary fistulae in females and males, benign prostate enlargement & inguinal lymph node dissection for cancer. He has helped develop the novel concepts of single-port “belly-button” and natural orifice surgery. Professor Sotelo’s experience with advanced robotic & laparoscopic surgery exceeds 2,300 personal cases, making him amongst the most experienced in the world.

Background
– Professor and Chairman, Department of Urology, Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Caracas, Venezuela (2004-2015)
President, Latin American Society of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Urology (2006-2008)

– Director, Office of Laparoscopy & Robotic Surgery, Confederación Americana de Urología (CAU) (2007-2014)

– Editor, Journal Urología Panamericana, the official Journal of Confederación Americana de Urología (CAU) (1999-2004)

– Serves on the editorial boards of European Urology, British Journal of Urology International and Journal of Robotic Surgery

– Invited visiting professor to 35 universities in 19 countries internationally, where he has demonstrated advanced robotic & laparoscopic techniques at live surgical symposia

– Trained over 67 post-graduate fellows from 14 countries in robotic & laparoscopic urology

– Listed amongst “America’s Top Urologists” by Consumers Research Council

Research
Published more than 50 peer reviewed scientific papers and 28 chapters in major urology books
Published 3 text-books; serves on the editorial board of 3 urologic journals

Awards
Professor Sotelo’s urologic achievements are considerable. He has won over 23 awards from scientific and government organizations worldwide, including American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, Societé Internationale Urologie, European Robotic Urological Society, Confederación Americana de Urología and others.

Awards

  • Confederacion Americana de Urologia: First Mention Video Prize, 2014
  • European Robotic Urology Society: Best Video Presentation Award, 2010
  • Confederacion Americana de Urologia: Third Prize Video Award, 2006
  • Confederacion Americana de Urologia: First Prize Video Award, 2006
  • Confederacion Americana de Urologia: First Prize Video Award, 2004
  • European Robotic Urology Society: Best Video Presentation Award, 2012
  • World Congress of Endourology: First Prize Video Presentation, 2013
  • Sociedad Venezolana de Urologia: Premio Dr. Carmelo Lauria, 2013
  • Sociedad Venezolana de Urologia: Premio Dr. Carmelo Lauria, 2012
  • Sociedad Venezolana de Urologia: Premio Dr. Carmelo Lauria, 2009
  • Sociedad Venezolana de Urologia: Premio Dr. Carmelo Lauria, 2008
  • American Urological Association: Third Prize Audio-Visual Award, 2016
  • American Urological Association: Third Prize Audio-Visual Award, 2014
  • American Urological Association: First Prize Award, 2009
  • American Urological Association: Honor Mention Video Award, 2008
  • American Urological Association: Second Prize Video Award, 2005
  • American Urological Association: Honor Mention Video Award, 2005
  • European Association of Urology: Best Paper Hans Marberger Award, 2017
  • European Association of Urology: Third Prize in Video Session, 2009
  • European Association of Urology: Entitled Special Prize of the Video Committee, 2007
  • Societe Internationale D’Urologie: First Video Award, 2012
  • Colombian Urology Society: Best Video Award, 2014
  • Peruvian Urology Congress: Second Prize Award in Video Presentation, 2014
  • Organizacion Sanitas Internacional: Juan Jacobo Munoz Award, 2010
  • World Robotic Urology Symposium: Best Video Award, 2008
  • World Robotic Urology Symposium: Best Abstract, 2008
  • Consumer’s Research Council of America: Anerica’s Top Urologists, 2007
  • Sociedad Colombiana de Urologia: Honor Mention, 2003
  • World Congress of Endourology: First Prize Video Presentation, 2013

Publications

  • Robotic-assisted vesicovaginal fistula repair using a vaginal cuff flap. Int Urogynecol J. 2022 09; 33(9):2581-2585.. View in PubMed
  • Urine leak after robotic radical prostatectomy: not all urine leaks come from the anastomosis. J Robot Surg. 2022 Apr; 16(2):247-255.. View in PubMed
  • Colovesical Fistula. N Engl J Med. 2019 Jun 27; 380(26):e51.. View in PubMed