Best Practices in Rectal Spacer Placement

In this final segment, the expert faculty offer practical advice for clinicians newly adopting rectal spacer techniques. They emphasize the importance of strong communication, reassurance, and early engagement with company training resources, including representatives, introductory courses, and hands-on observation of experienced proceduralists. Both physicians highlight the value of proctoring and immersion programs that allow new users to observe the full continuum of care—from spacer placement to radiation planning and dosimetry—to better understand how spacing influences dose distribution and toxicity reduction. The urologist notes that early cases may be more comfortably performed under anesthesia to allow deliberate technique without patient discomfort. The discussion underscores the need for multidisciplinary collaboration, especially when working with outside institutions, and stresses the educational benefit of reviewing imaging, understanding product differences, and learning to achieve symmetric, anatomically tailored spacing. They conclude that structured learning pathways and real-time mentorship significantly accelerate proficiency and improve patient outcomes.