Rene Javier Sotelo, MD

Rene Sotelo, MD, is one of the most 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 and inguinal lymph node dissection for cancer. He has helped develop the novel concepts of single-port belly-button and natural orifice surgery.

His experience with advanced robotic and laparoscopic surgery exceeds 2,539 personal cases, making him amongst the most experienced in the world. He has published more than 75 peer reviewed scientific papers, 5 textbooks and 38 chapters in major urology books. He also serves on the editorial board of three urologic journals.

In recognition of his work, Dr. Sotelo has been invited as international guest-lecturer in more than 35 universities in 19 countries. His unique skills and large personal experience in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgery are well known. He is a passionate teacher, having taught his techniques and best practices in 19 countries as an invited guest. To date, he has trained over 64 post-graduate fellows from 14 countries in the art and science of minimally invasive urology.

It is because of these seminal achievements that Dr. Sotelo was selected to join the University of Southern California. His passion for surgical innovation, advancing the field and worldwide teaching coincides with, and further strengthens, the philosophy at the USC Institute of Urology.

Philosophy of care:

My vision for patient care is to transfer knowledge and bring health to hundreds of people, to open avenues for science and to create new techniques and procedures to help heal patients around the world.