Professor Nazar Amso

I qualified from the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Iraq in 1974, obtained my MRCOG in 1985 and PhD in reproductive endocrinology from London University in 1996. I finished my higher clinical training in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne (1992-1994) and worked as a consultant at Gateshead Hospitals NHS Trust (1994-1998).

I moved to the University of Wales, College of Medicine (later became Cardiff University) in 1998 and was Head of the Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology between 2001-2002 and 2010-2013. I was a Senior Consultant in Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine between April 1998 and March 2016. I have regularly supervised undergraduate and postgraduate (MD/PhD) students and was the Director of Cardiff University Ultrasound Masters programme for obstetric, gynaecological and medical ultrasound (2004-2016). I was the Ultrasound lead for the Welsh Deanery and a member of the Deanery’s School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology training committee 2008-2016, was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Specialist Training Committee (1999-2002), and the RCOG Welsh Executive Committee (2003-2010).

Since retiring from the University and the NHS, I devote my time between private practice and developing novel distance learning education programmes for trainees and specialists in the UK and overseas embedding, where possible, simulation into structured learning curriculums. 

I am a Non-Executive Medical Director of MedaPhor plc., which I co-founded in 2004. The Company is now listed on AIM and has received numerous university and national innovation awards for its virtual reality ultrasound training “ScanTrainer” simulator. I was the founding President of the British Society for Gynaecological Imaging (2007-2016).

Adolescent gynaecology;

• Menstrual disorders and 
• congenital uterine malformations.

Endoscopic surgery and minimally invasive treatments; 

• Menstrual disorders and their management,
• Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy including resection of polyps and fibroids,
• Diagnostic and operative laparoscopy  including division of adhesions, salpingectomy, oophorectomy and laparoscopic reversal of sterilisation and
• Uterine artery embolisation.

Fertility and reproductive medicine; 

• Initial assessment and investigations of male and female partners, 
• Ovarian reserve assessment (AMH and antral follicle count), 
• Ovulation induction with clomid, follicle tracking and 
• Advice on avalilable treatments for premature ovarian failure. 

Gynaecological ultrasound;

• Integrated 2D and 3D ultrasound with the consultation, where appropriate,
• Assessment of pelvic masses, postmenopausal ovaries and uterine bleeding and
• Saline/contrast hystero- sonography and tubal assessment.

My PhD (1987-1991) research at the Royal Free Hospital, London was in reproductive endocrinology and invitro-fertilisation. I continued with this line of research when I relocated to Cardiff University, looking a sperm factors and their impact on fertilisation.

At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead, I took part in an international study of Uterine Balloon Therapy as an alternative to hysterectomy and to hysteroscopic endometrial resection. This was the first large cohort study in the field and results from the initial trial and the long-term follow up of 5 years demonstrated safety and efficacy leading to it being recognised as the main option for these women for over 15 years.

At Cardiff University, I was the local lead researcher for the United Kingdom Collaborative Trial for Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS), a 13 centre study. This was the largest population based randomised controlled trial of ovarian cancer screening in the world and is unique in its design and implementation. Mortality in the Multi-Modal Screen (MMS) arm (Ca125 + scan) was significantly reduced mortality in years 7-14 of follow up when prevalent cases were excluded. This is the first indication that screening in ovarian cancer might be advantageous. Further follow-up is needed before firm conclusions can be reached on the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ovarian cancer screening.

With my passion in ultrasound education, I successfully supervised a PhD student exploring the role of an ultrasound simulation system in improving the standard of training in the clinical environment. The ultimate aim was to improve quality, safety and efficiency of clinical care to patients.

I have also been a co-investigator in a British Council DFID DelPHE funded project focussing on E-health technology and its role in improving healthcare in developing countries.

British Medical Association (BMA)
British Fertility Society (BFS)
British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS)
British Society for Gynaecology Endoscopy (BSGE)
British Society for Gynaecological Imaging (BSGI) - Founding member and Ex-President
British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology
Cardiff Medical Society
European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE)
European Society for Human Reproduction and Endocrinology (ESHRE)
Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetriciand and Gynaecologists (1999)
General Medical Council (GMC)
Royal Society of Medicine (RSM)
Reviewer for Gynaecological Surgery journal

I am married to Jacqueline, a GP in Cardiff and the proud father of Nicholas, a Systems Engineer and Alexandra, who read Geography at Southampton University. Both are currently working in London. When I’m not working, an infrequent event, I enjoy travel and watching current affairs programmes on television. Both my son and I are passionate supporters of Newcastle United!

Audit on uterine artery embolisation (175 procedures): This showed 78% satisfaction at six months (satisfied or very satisfied), reintervention rate after 10 years follow-up 15% (hysterectomy 10%, hysteroscopic resection 5%).

Audit of laparoecopic reversal of sterilisation (51 procedures) showed a clinical intrauterine pregnancy rate 59%, live birth rate 37%, miscarriage rate 22% and an ectopic pregnancy rate of 11%. The mean age of women at surgery was 36 (29-43) years.