Surgeon recognised with international award for advancing kidney stone treatment

A Southampton surgeon has received a prestigious international award for his contribution to advancing kidney stone treatment.

Professor Bhaskar Somani, consultant urological surgeon at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) was presented with the Christian Chaussy Award by the German Society for Shockwave Lithotripsy at the annual German Urology Congress 2026 in Düsseldorf. He is the first UK urologist to receive this award.

The award recognises pioneering work led by Professor Somani and developed at UHS, bringing together cutting-edge technology, research and patient-centred care within the hospital's kidney stone service.

Stones form when waste products in the blood collect inside the kidneys and build up into hard, stone-like lumps. While many are small enough to pass naturally, larger stones can cause severe pain and require removal. If left untreated, they can lead to infections or impaired kidney function.

Shock wave lithotripsy, also known as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to break down kidney stones into smaller fragments that can be passed naturally.

This procedure offers a safer alternative to open surgery, treating kidney stones with minimal damage to the kidneys and surrounding tissues, also reducing recovery time and improving patient outcomes.

The Christian Chaussy Award 2026 celebrates innovative work at UHS using virtual reality to enhance patient counselling and consent for shock wave lithotripsy. The project, which has recently been published in the Journal of Endourology, involved medical students, clinical fellows, stone specialist nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team.

It is further recognition of UHS's growing international reputation in kidney stone treatment and research. Earlier this year, UHS was recognised in a global analysis published in Urolithiasis as the world's leading centre for clinical research into kidney stone treatment.

Professor Somani is a member of UHS's Research Leaders Programme, which identifies staff across all clinical disciplines with the potential to become future research leaders. The programme provides dedicated time, training and personal development opportunities to support participants in progressing their research careers.

His current research focuses on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve care for patients undergoing surgery involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder and prostate. Earlier this year he was also awarded by the John Anderson Award 2026 from British Association of Urological Surgeons, as an outstanding urologist in being inspirational in teaching, training, service development and service delivery.

Professor Somani said: "I am incredibly honoured to receive the Christian Chaussy Award and to be the first urologist from the UK to receive this recognition. This award reflects the collective efforts of our entire multidisciplinary team at UHS, whose commitment to innovation, research and patient-centred care continues to drive improvements in kidney stone treatment.”

Paul Grundy, chief medical officer, UHS, said: "This international recognition is a testament to Professor Somani's commitment to improving care for patients with kidney stones through innovation, research and education. The work recognised by this award demonstrates how combining cutting-edge technology with a patient-centred approach can enhance both the patient experience and clinical outcomes.

“We are proud to support clinicians who are pushing the boundaries of research and translating new ideas into real benefits for patients. This award, alongside our growing reputation as a global leader in kidney stone research, reflects the dedication, expertise and collaborative spirit of Professor Somani and the wider multidisciplinary team."