Andrology and Prosthetic Urology Fellowship
Program Overview
Andrology and Prosthetic Urology Fellowship
The Andrology and Prosthetic Urology Fellowship is a non-accredited one-year training program directed by Joseph Alukal, MD, Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Men’s Health. The program is designed for an exceptional early career urologist who is genuinely interested in male infertility and sexual dysfunction.
Program Description
The ideal candidate for the APU Fellowship will be a physician-scientist who has completed an ACGME-accredited Urology residency program, conducted novel research in the field, and published their studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Selection of the fellow will occur outside the match after review of personal statements, letters of recommendation, and an in-person interview.
Program Objectives
The APU Fellowship will focus on state-of-the-art training in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions, including:
- Hypogonadism
- Peyronie’s disease
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculatory dysfunction
- Urethral stricture disease
- Genitourinary trauma
- Urinary fistulae
- Voiding dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms
- Post-prostatectomy incontinence
- Non-infectious inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract
Learning Objectives
Upon conclusion of the training program, the APU Fellow is expected to:
- Have a thorough knowledge of the surgical and functional anatomy of the external genitalia and pelvic floor.
- Know the factors that influence normal and abnormal erectile and urinary function.
- Understand the pathophysiology of all conditions encountered in the practice of Male Sexual Dysfunction and Prosthetic Urology Surgery.
- Know and be able to correctly use all standard terminology and guidelines for the description, diagnosis, and treatment of urological conditions.
- Have the ability to take a comprehensive medical history and perform a directed physical and comprehensive urological examination.
- Know how to perform and/or interpret diagnostic testing related to the urological conditions listed above.
- Have a complete knowledge of available conservative
on-surgical treatments for all conditions listed above. - Have complete knowledge of pharmacological treatments, including therapeutic dose ranges, indications, contraindications, side effects, and costs.
- Know and understand the indications and contraindications and costs for the surgical treatments of urological conditions.
- Have expertise in the performance of minimally invasive and surgical procedures to treat urological conditions.
- Have an understanding of the literature as it relates to all aspects of Male Infertility.
- Write scientific manuscripts related to clinical and/or laboratory research that the fellow has conducted.
Surgical Expertise
The fellow is expected to have expertise in the performance of the following procedures:
- Surgery for erectile dysfunction and male sexual dysfunction:
- Penile prosthesis insertion (3-piece inflatable, 2-piece inflatable, malleable)
- Penile plication; plaque excision and grafting
- Penile artery revascularization bypass
- Surgery for male infertility/microsurgery:
- Microsurgical varicocelectomy
- Laparoscopic varicocelectomy
- Vaso-vasostomy, vaso-epididymostomy
- Testicular sperm extraction, microdissection testicular sperm extraction, and microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration
- Surgery for post-prostatectomy incontinence:
- Male urethral sling
- Insertion of artificial urinary sphincter
The fellow should also be familiar with the performance of other procedures, including:
- Division of penile dorsal vein and suspensory ligament
- Radial forearm free flap and creation of neophallus
- Urethrolysis, urethroplasty
- Bladder neck closure
- Augmentation cystoplasty
- Urinary diversion (continent and incontinent)
- Creation of Martius and other vascular pedical flaps
- Ureteral repair and reimplantation
Research and Clinical Experience
The fellow will be involved in clinical research and will have the opportunity to collaborate with Columbia Urology residents on research projects. The fellow will also participate in didactic teaching sessions and Journal Club. The program will provide a unique opportunity to provide 21st-century care to men from the New York City metropolitan area in a modernized multidisciplinary men’s health center.