More than 750 delegates from all over the world gathered to hear 34 international experts discussing evidence-based management of oropharyngeal cancer and robotic head-and-neck surgery within a multidisciplinary team. With skilful work by Jai Manickavasagam and Professor Vinidh Paleri (right), the conference achieved very positive feedback.
The hybrid format made both virtual attendance and face-to-face attendance possible, allowing wider dissemination of knowledge from the expert speakers. I was lucky to be in physical attendance in the historic and beautiful Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This brought added benefits: direct engagement between delegates and speakers, opportunities for product review, discussion with company representatives about technological advances and a lunchtime treat of live bagpipe music!
Highlights included keynote lectures on oropharyngeal cancer by Jai Manickavasagam, Meghan Turner’s talk on the management aspects of robotic surgery, oncological treatment options by Silke Tribius and Ajith George’s comprehensive overview of robotic anatomy. Lively panel discussions were moderated by Niclas Rubek, Emma King and Jean Pierre Jeannon.
A wide range of topics were covered by a multidisciplinary panel, comprising head-and-neck surgeons, speech and language therapists, radiologists and oncologists. This forum enabled speakers and delegates alike to question experts in other fields. This allowed for a deepening of understanding through increased awareness of relevant research and experience from other disciplines.
A key feature of the conference was the use of case-based discussion. As an ENT trainee, I found this method valuable. The expert panel debate highlighted the complexities and nuances of patient-focused decision-making. Delegates were educated on recent and on-going major trials, with emphasis on evidence-based care interwoven throughout the day. With technological advances in robotic surgery, the conference expanded the mind as to its future applications in ENT.
This was a fantastic conference and delegates left with a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary management of oropharyngeal cancer.
Lyris Onwordi, Otolaryngology Trainee, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.
