Crossing Borders: 95. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie vom 8. bis 11. Mai 2024 in Essen

Dear colleagues,

Dear readers,

We are constantly developing innovative solutions and treatment concepts for our patients in our discipline. In this context, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. The conference motto “Crossing Borders: interdisciplinary, international, interactive” of the 95th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery emphasizes the relevance of interdisciplinary cooperation and global exchange. This year, joint meetings with the European Laryngological Society (ELS) and the Rhinoplasty Society of Europe (RSE) will take place for the first time. The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Confederation of European Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS) are also involved in the scientific program. The interdisciplinary presentations offer insights into the most recent developments in the fields of head and neck oncology, skull base and orbital surgery, among others. They are a great opportunity to expand your own knowledge and exchange the latest research findings.

Prof. Stephan Lang

Collaboration between different medical specialties is of particular importance in order to offer patients the best possible treatment.

In the presentation entitled “Interdisciplinary plastic and reconstructive surgery of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck” (1) by Prof. Dr. Marcus Lehnhardt, Bochum, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Remmert, Duisburg, reconstruction techniques for tissue loss after resection of head and neck tumors are explained.

Prof. Rüdiger Gerlach, M.D., Erfurt, and Dr. Vittorio Rampinelli, M.D., Ph. D., Brescia (IT) provide an overview of the current concepts for the “Interdisciplinary treatment of skull base tumors” (2). In addition, the authors present typical endoscopic skull base approaches based on their surgical experience and describe representative cases.

Prof. Dr. med. Anja Eckstein, Essen, and Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Hans-Jürgen Welkoborsky, Hannover, give an overview of inflammatory diseases of the orbita, orbital tumors and surgical approaches in their presentation entitled “Interdisciplinary treatment of orbital diseases” (3). The diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the orbita are emphasized as an interdisciplinary task.

The review article “The interdisciplinary treatment of skin cancer” (4) by Prof. Dr. med. Susanne Wiegand, Leipzig, and Prof. Dr. med. Dirk Schadendorf, Essen, addresses skin tumors in the head and neck area, whose adequate diagnosis and treatment require close cooperation of the disciplines.

Vascular anomalies in our specialty pose a particular diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Prof. Dr. med. Stefan Mattheis, Essen, and Prof. Dr. med. Isabel Wanke, Zurich (CH), will contribute to a better understanding of this entity with their presentation on “Interdisciplinary management of vascular anomalies in the head and neck ” (5) and will also shed light on the molecular biological principles involved.

“Reconstructive surgery of the laryngotracheal junction” (6), from endoscopic treatment options to open reconstruction for laryngotracheal stenoses, will be explained by Prof. Christian Sittel, MD, Stuttgart, Prof. Assen Koitschev, MD, Stuttgart, Dr. Carola Schön, MD, Munich, and Prof. Karl Reiter, MD, Munich.

Dr. med. Cornelius Kürten, Essen, and Prof. Robert L. Ferris, M.D., Ph. D., Pittsburgh (PA, US), will present the concept of “Neoadjuvant immunotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma” (7), which offers hope for improved survival rates for these patients in the future. Checkpoint inhibitors are of particular importance here.

In the presentation on “Pediatric Rhinology” (8), Prof. Stephan Hackenberg, MD, Würzburg, and Prof. Helge Hebestreit, MD, Würzburg, will highlight new aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of rhinological diseases, especially in children.

I look forward to welcoming you, dear colleagues from Germany and all over the world, to a congress full of knowledge transfer, networking and inspiration in the heart of the Ruhr region from May 8 to 11, 2024.

Kind regards,

Publication History

Article published online:
02 May 2024