Our Aim
To increase the quality of surgery and patient satisfaction by:
- Validation of surgical training and the assessment methods
- Standardization of evidence-based multispecialty and multi-tool training
- Dispersion throughout Europe of uniform training pathways based on these standards
- Implementation of an accreditation system for genital surgeons
How?
The ESSM has started with a new surgical academy regarding penile implant surgery. Within this concept we want to break with the old historical and outdated “Halsted principle” of “do one, see one, teach one”. Surgical training has become a challenge if we look at the financial, medico-legal and ethical issues nowadays, moreover shorter residency training programs and resident working hours restrictions make this training even more difficult. The training module we set up for penile implant surgery will be copy pasted in other surgical procedures later on.
Chair of the ESSM Surgical Academy: Koen van Renterghem, Belgium
The Surgical Academy is based on a 3-levels training process:
LEVEL 1 – ONLINE LIVE WEBINARS + EBOOK + ACCESS TO VIDEO PLATFORM
The first level will consist of a theoretical educational program with 3 different live online webinars with exceptional speakers.
Those that have attended LIVE all webinars will receive a personal code to access an ebook on prosthetic urological surgery that has been published recently in collaboration with KOL’s from all over the world and full access to a platform with different videos of outstanding quality.
Mikkel Fode, Denmark
ESSM President
Koen van Renterghem, Belgium
Chair
Ignacio Moncada, Spain
Co-chair
David Ralph, UK
Co-chair
Daniar Osmonov, Germany
Co-chair
Webinars
The objective of the webinars is to inform and educate beginning or low volume penile implant surgeons. This starts with basic pre-surgery topics, afterwards information on the “straight forward” cases and finally how to deal with more complex cases. The ultimate goal is to train urologists in a state of the art fashion to become experienced penile implant surgeons.
Webinars are open to everyone, recording is for members only.
All webinars are recorded and made available to all ESSM Members one month after they have gone live.
Ebook and video library will be for ESSM members only who have attended all webinars..
WEBINAR 1: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Chair: Koen van Renterghem
Co-Chair: Daniar Osmonov
Thursday 21 May 2026 | 20:00–21:30 CET
1:30h
- Available devices on the market (Javier Romero Otero)
- Knowledge of instruments needed specifically for penile implant (Sam Ward)
- Anatomical considerations regarding penile implant surgery (Daniar Osmonov)
- How to organize a prosthetic urology centre (Koenraad van Renterghem)
THE WEBINAR RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE MEMBERS AREA
WEBINAR 2: Wednesday 3 June 2026
Chair: Koen van Renterghem
Co-Chairs: Daniar Osmonov, Ignacio Moncada
Wednesday 3 June 2026 | 20:00–21:30 CET
1:30h
- Indications and pre-op workup (Ege Can Serefoglu)
- Different surgical approaches (Nuno Tomada)
- Surgical steps in penile implant surgery (Carlo Bettocchi)
- Post-operative care (Enrique Lledo Garcia)
THE WEBINAR RECORDING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE MEMBERS AREA
WEBINAR 3: Monday 22 June 2026
Chair: Koen van Renterghem
Co-Chair: David Ralph
Monday 22 June 2026 | 20:00–21:30 CET
1:30h
- How to deal with complications (Don Lee)
- Measurements to prevent infection (Antoine Faix)
- Complex penile implant: Peyronies disease, fibrotic penis, post priapism (David Ralph)
- How to deal with mechanical failure of penile implant (Juan Ignacio Martinez Salamanca)
THE WEBINAR WILL BE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE IN THE MEMBERS AREA
LEVEL 2 – MASTERCLASS IN KIEL (GERMANY)
The second level, reserved to those that have attended live the 3 webinars, will consist in the opportunity to participate to an exclusive Masterclass in Kiel (Germany).
Applications will be reviewed by the Surgical Academy Board who will select the candidates.
When: 29+30 October 2026
Where: Institute of Anatomy – Christian-Albrechts University Kiel
How to apply: please send a detailed CV and a motivation letter to essmsurgicalacademy@aimgroup.eu
Deadline for submitting your application: 26 June 2026
What is offered:
- Tuition fee according to the program
- 2 nights accommodation – 28+29 October (B&B treatment, city tax not included) in 4* hotel in Kiel.
- 1 dinner (29 October) with the course faculty
- coffee breaks and lunches according to the program
- Contribution of € 300 for travel (flat fee)
LEVEL 3 (practical training in one of the Centers of Excellence)
Travel fellowships will be provided to 4 fellows selected among the participants of the Masterclass and will be allocated to a center of excellence for a 3 months training in 2027
Timeline 2026
May-July 2026
LEVEL 1
- live webinars
- ebook (for those who attend all 3)
- videos (for those who attend all 3)
29+30 October 2026
LEVEL 2
Masterclass in Kiel
- Applications deadline: 26 June 2026
- Selection and notification: beginning of September 2026
- Masterclass: 29+30 October 2026
2027
LEVEL 3
Fellowships in centers of excellence (3 months training)
Selection fo max 4 candidates is made during the Masterclass in Kiel
Supported by
This academy is supported by an unrestricted grant from
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Please check the FAQ here below, they have been selected from those most commonly asked.
The project is open to ESSM members ONLY. Anyone can register and attend live webinars but only members will be able to move to the next steps (ebook, video library, application to Masterclass and Fellowships).
Not a member yet? You can find all information and the online application form in the membership section.
- Applicants must be active members of the ESSM in good standing
- Applicants must be a consultant or within one year of completion of their general urological or related specialist training
- Applicants must be committed to career in andrology and/or reconstructive urology
- Completion of the ESSM school of sexual medicine course and/or the Fellowship of the Committee of Sexual Medicine title will be an advantage but is not a requirement
- Publications relevant to the field will be an advantage but is not a requirement
A specific registration form will be available in this section of the website; webinars will take place on the ESSM Zoom account and upon registering you will receive confirmation and the link to participate.
Yes, only those that have attended live ALL webinars can submit an application to LEVEL 2 (Masterclass in Kiel)
Yes webinars are recorded but you are required to attend live to all 3 if you want to move forward to LEVEL 2.
Yes, attending live webinars is mandatory
Yes of course, attending the webinars does not bind you to participate further
After LEVEL 1, to move forward you will need to submit a specific application (CV and motivation letter) to participate to LEVEL 2 (Masterclass in Kiel)
During the Masterclass in Kiel the applicants will be evaluated to move forward to LEVEL 3
Only after LEVEL 1, in order to move forward, you will need to submit an application for the Masterclass in Kiel by the deadline indicated in the box above:
- Full CV
- Motivation letter (max 500 words)
The applications will be reviewed by the Surgical Academy Board.who will select the participants.
The selection to participate to the Masterclass in Kiel (from LEVEL 1 to LEVEL 2) will be by the Surgical Academy Board
The selection of applicants who will then move from LEVEL 2 to LEVEL 3 will be done at the end of the Masterclass
Step 3 – “hands on” training will take place at the center of excellence
Your supervisor will evaluate your skills and confirm your further training; restrictions may apply with reference to access to OR according to local legislations. We may not be held responsible for denial to perform surgery at the centers of excellence.
We foresee a max of 4 participants for the fellowships
You can find the full list of centers here.
You will be asked to submit a preference, but this will NOT ensure your final allocation; ESSM will match the requests and inform you about the available center that can host your fellowship
Ideal duration is around 3 months at the center of excellence
It will be your responsibility to check if you need a VISA. We will help out if needed providing an invitation letter but we may not be held responsible in case of rejection
The grants will be used to cover expenses such as plane tickets/accommodation and an amount for cost of living. Details will be provided to the fellows in due time.
Reimbursement of eligible expenses will be after the fellow has finished his training and upon providing specific details/budget with all receipts supporting the request and a full report of the training experience.
The fellow will be solely responsible for relevant payment for tax purposes.
