Published: February 4, 2019

XI Balkan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology

While the waves lapped the sand and rock music blared from the loudspeakers of the many bars lining the beach, inside the Congress Center of the International Hotel in Golden Sands, Bulgaria, the XI Balkan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology took place.


Golden Sands, Bulgaria

While the waves lapped the sand and rock music blared from the loudspeakers of the many bars lining the beach, inside the Congress Center of the International Hotel in Golden Sands, Bulgaria, the XI Balkan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology took place.

Professor Eugene N. Myers – Honorary President of the Balkan Society of Otolaryngology – HNS, his wife Barbara, and members of the Balkan Society.Professor Eugene N. Myers – Honorary President of the Balkan Society of Otolaryngology – HNS, his wife Barbara, and members of the Balkan Society.

Rumen Benchev, PhD, MSc, Chairman of the Bulgarian National Society of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery was the President of the Balkan Society of Otorhinolaryngology, and special thanks was offered to Mario Milkov, MD, PhD, of nearby Varna, who made the local arrangements and organized the scientific and social programs, and special events, including a spirited football game.

Professor Mario Milkov lecturing.Professor Mario Milkov lecturing.

The official opening of the Congress took place on May 31, 2018. Following greetings from local officials and University faculty, Prof. Pavel Dimov, MD, of Stara Zagora presented a detailed lecture entitled, “First five years before IV Balkan Congress of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery: Our activities and Prof. Dr. Todor Karchev.” A reception followed, featuring Bulgarian local specialties. Two singers from the Bulgaria State Opera entertained the guests with arias from many popular operas.

The Congress was attended by more than 400 ENT specialists from 12 countries. The Scientific Program was held in three conference halls where the participants had a choice among 25 keynote lectures, 14 round tables, instructional courses, video cases, and nine satellite symposia. Many individual speakers, whose lectures covered every aspect of contemporary otolaryngology, and a “Young Scientists” session were included. Guest lecturers of the Congress included world-renowned names such as Eugene N. Myers, MD, FRCS; Dan Fliss, MD; Andrew Schmelzer, Karl Hoermann, MD, Piotr Skarzynski, MD, PhD, MSc; J. Haijiianou, Hesham Negm, MD, MSc; and Ninai Kuman. The high quality of the Congress indicated the remarkable progress the Balkan Society has made in the 17 years since its reorganization.

Professor Myers, Honorary President of the Balkan Society and Regional Advisor to the Balkan Countries from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, gave a lecture entitled “Neck Dissection: An Operation in Evolution.” A very touching in memoriam for our beloved colleague Merko Tos, MD, was included.

The Board of the Balkan Society chaired by Prof. Dr. Cem Uzun met and, amongst other business, elected to become an International Corresponding Society of the AAO-HNSF. Prof. Dr. Karl Hoermann of Mannheim and Prof. Dr. Hesham Negm of Cairo were elected to Honorary Membership. The next meeting will be held in Lake Ohrid, Macedonia in 2020.


More from February 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 1