Amrita Bhattacharya, Second Year Post-Graduate Trainee, Department of ENT Head & Neck Surgery, Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences, Kolkata, India and Miss Rajini Rajagopal, Locum Consultant ENT Surgeon, UK.
A pre-congress course on rhinology kicked things off with interesting discussions at the National Otorhinolaryngology Hospital (11 and 12 October). It covered medical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the complications of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and sinonasal malignancies. The pre-congress course on advanced ear surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital (13 October) covered detailed descriptions and live surgical demonstration of middle and inner ear anatomy and cochlear implantation surgery.
The Opening Ceremony was addressed by Professor Soekirman Soekin (Indonesia), President of ASEAN ORL-HNS Federation, and Associate Professor Tran Phan Chung Thuy (Vietnam), President of Vietnamese Society of Otorhinolaryngology, 20th ASEAN ORL-HNS Congress and President Elect of ASEAN ORL-HNS Federation. The scientific session began with the plenary moderated by A/Prof Thuy, encompassing noteworthy talks on multidisciplinary treatment for head and neck cancer at the Mayo Clinic and a unique discussion on applications of AI in medicine.
Right: Amrita Bhattacharya with Assoc Prof Tran Phan Chung Thuy.
Sessions on rhinology were particularly informative. Dr Kazuhiro Omura (Japan) shared his experience with a new endoscopic technique for medial maxillectomy (DALMA). Professor Prepageran Narayanan gave an illuminating talk on redefining surgical boundaries in endoscopic rhinology and skull base surgery. Prof Soekin gave a particularly riveting account of his experiences with active bone conductive implants.
The highlight of the day for young trainees was the hands-on seminar on office laryngoplasty by Professor Shigeru Hirano (pictured, third from left), who demonstrated all steps of injection laryngoplasty and discussed the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in management of vocal fold atrophy and scar.
The cultural night that followed featured beautiful performances showcasing the traditions and culture of the member countries of ASEAN.
On the final day, Professor Luong (USA) broadened the horizons of our understanding of the role of fungi in chronic rhinosinusitis. Professor Ehab Hanna (USA) discussed sinonasal cancers and their management by endoscopic resection. Dr Aru Panwar (USA) discussed his experience with non-ICU based management of patients with head and neck free flaps.
Professor Ranjan Raychowdhury (India) began his talk on unilateral sinonasal masses with a brief account of the relationship between India and Vietnam from the time of Ho Chi Minh.
Scientific e-posters on a wide array of topics were on display throughout the conference, providing ample opportunities for networking, exchange of ideas and insight into new thought and innovations.
The enriching three-day congress left the attendees with a treasure trove of wisdom, new friends and fond memories to remember Vietnam by.
