Author: Makiko Otani, Wakayama Medical University, Japan
The 35th Autumn Seminar of the Japanese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery was held at Pacifico Yokohama on November 20-21, 2021, and welcomed more than 1,000 participants onsite, as the state of emergency had been lifted and the number of new COVID-19 cases was low. The total number of participants was 3,798, including those who participated in on-demand streaming made available until December 31. This was the first time that many of the participants had attended an onsite conference since 2020, when most conferences went online, and many smiles were seen throughout the event.
The Autumn Seminar has been held annually, alternatively organized by one of Japan’s six regions. This year, Tokyo, Yokohama, and the entire Kanto region took the lead, with Prof. Tatsuya Yamasoba, chairman of the University of Tokyo, serving as the executive committee chair. There were 15 career education lectures for medical specialists, 29 hands-on training sessions, eight lectures for residents, and eight sessions and two hands-on seminars for hearing aid counseling. The hybrid format of onsite participation and on-demand sessions was implemented last year, and this year’s program content was developed by Prof. Yamasoba, Prof. Hiroki Kojima (Jikei University School of Medicine), the program chair, and Prof. Takahiro Asakage (Tokyo Medical and Dental University), the hands-on session chair.
Conference Banner at Pacifico Yokohama
Preparations were made to appeal to a broad range of participants, especially by covering important topics such as otolaryngology practice during/after the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most notable features of the seminar was 29 hands-on courses, which included techniques for endoscopic ear surgery, techniques for endoscopic rhinosinus surgery, vestibular rehabilitation and Epley method, olfaction testing and olfactory rehabilitation, and swallowing endoscopy and rehabilitation. Hearing aid seminars were held for doctors who wished to obtain or renew their license as a hearing aid counselor.
During the seminar, all possible measures were taken to prevent COVID-19 infections; a health declaration form had to be submitted at the entrance, where thermal cameras had been installed. In addition, alcohol sprays were placed at reception desks, and clear plastic dividers were placed at the speakers' seats in each room to prevent the spread of droplets. Participants were encouraged to wear face shields and gloves during the hands-on sessions where they would be in physical contact with others.
Opening Remarks by Prof. Tatsuya Yamasoba
With so many interesting choices, I found it difficult to choose which lectures to attend, and was grateful for the opportunity to view some of the presentations online at a later date. The hands-on courses were so popular that some of them were booked full from the first day of the seminar. All in all, I really enjoyed the educational lectures, meeting many friends and colleagues I hadn’t seen in so long, and taking in the beautiful scenery and delicious food of Yokohama.
