By Chin Mun Soong, ENT ST5 Registrar, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast
The 65th Irish Otorhinolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery Society conference was hosted by IOS president, Professor Rory McConn Walsh, in Titanic Belfast.
Highlights included fascinating talks from special guest speakers:
Charlie Huins, consultant ENT surgeon, specialising in otology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK, spoke about his experience of ENT in the developing world, and how this has influenced his outlook on life and his clinical practice.
Dr Lisa Prior, consultant in medical oncology, Beacon Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, gave an update on immunotherapy for advanced cutaneous malignancies.
Ann Louise McDermott, consultant paediatric otolaryngologist, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s hospital, Birmingham, UK, spoke about her experience as a paediatric rhinologist, and the benefits of working in a wide MDT.
Professor Matt Lechner, consultant rhinologist, presented on advancements in investigation and management of sinonasal cancer, highlighting the importance of global collaboration in researching and managing rare pathologies.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Carstein Palme, consultant otolaryngology head and neck surgeon, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, Australia. It focussed on the changes in treatment of advanced cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck.
Delegates were also treated to a programme of expert panel discussions, delegate oral and poster presentations. Each year prizes are awarded for the best oral presentations. This year the Aonghus Curran prize was presented to Emma Finnegan for the best head and neck oral presentation on the topic of ‘Incidental Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Outcomes: Implications on Management Recommendations’.
Ryan McKenna picked up the prize for best free paper for his work on ‘The Impact of Video Head Impulse Testing on Side Determination in Cochlear Implantation Surgery’.
Second prize went to K Griffin for her project on ‘Implementing a Virtual Nasal Fracture Clinic’.
Prof Rory McConn Walsh presents the Wilde medal to Dr Kofi Boahene, MD, Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
The annual gala dinner was held in the Titanic Hotel and was preceded by the highly-anticipated Wilde Discourse, which was delivered by Dr Kofi Boahene, Professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and dermatology, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, USA. He talked about the importance of a smile and gave an inspiring presentation on advanced techniques in the management of facial paralysis.
We are already looking forward to next year’s meeting, which will be held in Salthill Hotel, Galway, October 2025, with Wilde Discourser Mr Richard Irving.
