PARIS, FRANCE (UroToday) - The highlight of the morning session was the Opening Ceremony which followed the first four committee presentations.

Dr. L. Denis opened the meeting and congratulated the ICS and ICUD on the consultation and the upcoming publication. Karl-Erik Andersson then introduced Dr. William DeGroat as the Honorary President of the 4th ICI. Dr. DeGroat reviewed some of his historical findings including the discovery of the role of C-afferent fibers in bladder sensation in spinal cord injury patients 30 years ago. He stated that his greatest joy was following the achievements of scientists and physicians that he has helped to train over the years.

Dr. Paul VanLook from the World Health Organization next gave a presentation on the devastating problem of obstetrical vesicovaginal fistulas in the developing world. He reviewed the epidemiological data and the scope of the problem. He discussed the formation of the Obstetric Fistula Working Group in 2003 which is a coalition of United Nations agencies and how this group is vital in terms of public awareness and public health management. He outlined an ongoing study concerning patient quality of life and social reintegration.

Dr. Paul Abrams then spoke briefly regarding evidence based medicine guidelines and the Consultation's commitment to presenting Levels of Evidence and Recommendation Grades with the report. He thanked Dr. Saad Khoury for his contributions.

Dr. Khoury took the podium briefly and thanked Dr. Abrams for chairing the 4th ICI and also thanked his wife and staff for their many years of assistance in holding uninterrupted international consultations since 1979.

Presented at the Fourth International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI) - July 5 - 8, 2008. Palais des Congres, Paris, France.

William Jaffe, MD, a Contributing Editor with UroToday.

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