In near terms of 22-24 November, 6-8 December 2009 and 10-12 January 2010, the International Center of Hearing and Speech in Kajetany hosted the 6th, 7th, and 8th edition of the International “Window Approach Workshop”.
Once again, this edition of the “Window Approach Workshop” became the international platform for surgeons and specialists who help patients with hearing deficiencies, both in Europe and worldwide. The event became a perfect opportunity for them to participate in discussions and exchange of know-how in the latest otosurgery methods and procedures, as well as implementation of the state-of-the-art technological solutions – hearing implants.
The Workshops WAW6, 7 and 8 were organized in close cooperation with the National Institute of Sensory Organs, and Med-El and Cochlear companies.
During the workshop sessions, the Institute specialists shared with the audience their extensive experience in middle-ear and cochlear implants. Particular attention was given to the cochlear implantation in patients with partial deafness, and middle-ear implantation using window approach technique in patients with mixed deafness.
The meeting participants familiarized themselves with the surgery techniques presented during surgical operations that were live broadcasted to the conference room. In total, during the both workshop sessions, 36 exemplary surgeries took place, including the middle ear implantation with window approach technique using the Med-El electrodes (types: Flex, M and a standard electrode), a SRA electrode by Cochlear, as well as the Med-El’s Vibrant SoundBridge middle-ear implantation with direct stimulation of the window membrane, which is a latest development by Prof Henryk Skarżyński. Each surgery was preceded with presentations of selected case studies, prepared by Dr. Monika Matusiak. Also, the workshop participants attended the lectures delivered by Prof. Henryk Skarżyński, Dr. Artur Lorens and Dr. Arkadiusz Wąsowski, as well as the representatives of the Med-El and Cochlear companies.
The workshops WAW 7 and 8 were accompanied by the practical on-site sessions, organized in the Laboratory of Head and Neck Anatomy and Clinical Pathomorphology, run by assistant professor Jarosław Wysocki and laboratory manager Krzysztof Krasucki, who were supported by physician assistants: Piotr Skarżyński, Aleksandra Mickielewicz and Dr. Monika Matusiak.
The”Window Approach Workshop” sessions enjoy a great popularity and recognition amongst the participants coming from all over the world. In total, 42 surgeons and specialists representing Austria, Belarus, Canada, Finland, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Romania, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey took part in both meetings. After eight fruitful meeting sessions, next workshops have already been preliminarily scheduled – the 9th and 10th sessions, which are to be organized in April 2010.
