A 2 year study led by Mr Grills looking at treatment of kidney stones was recognised as the most innovative research project at the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand’s  Annual Scientific Meeting in Canberra earlier in the year. 

The project evaluated almost 500 consecutive cases of renal pyeloscopy (telescopic inspection of the kidney) performed at the 3 major hospitals in Geelong. The study focused on the durability of the instruments being used to inspect the inside of the kidney and remove stones. The research  demonstrated that the instruments are probably more durable than first thought and that the reusable (multi-use)  instruments may in fact be more cost effective than disposable (single use) instruments. Mr Grills received the Abbvie Platinum Trophy for this work which will be published in an international surgical journal in 2018.