Report by: Peter Doble II, MD, PhD, Trinity Ear, Nose & Throat PC
RhinoWorld 2019 was held in Chicago, 6-9 June 2019. The world’s foremost rhinologists met and discussed emerging concepts, reviewed treatments and proposed concepts over a wonderful five days in the second city of the USA. The weather cooperated with wonderful temperatures and beautiful skies during the entire meeting. The meeting presented the most recent peer reviewed science and great debate was to be heard in the meeting halls and in the corridors and into the evenings while at dinner. The newest equipment and services were exhibited by the vendors.
The Sheraton hotel provided a fine meeting venue and the International Rhinological Society (IRS)/ International Society of Inflammation and Allergy of the Nose (ISIAN) host country (United States, President Professor Robert Kern and Professor Brent Senior) together with the American Rhinologic Society (ARS), showed the attendees and invited guests to a truly warm and welcoming environment with excellent service and great food for all the meeting’s functions. The entertainment theme of the meeting was based on the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers and the music associated with Chicago blues. The Blues Brothers dress was worn by all for the welcoming ceremony.
The gala event was held in the Field Museum, home of ‘Sue’ - the most complete tyrannosaurus rex yet discovered, with excellent food and music by of course, The Blues Brothers. During the evening Professor Brent Senior assumed leadership as President of the IRS. Prof Kern was elevated to the Presidency of the ISIAN. New friendships were made, and old acquaintances were renewed.
Professor Kevin Welch, acting as the ARS Secretary General for this combined meeting worked in the most diligent manner to insure a smooth and seamless congress. Over 1300 rhinologists representing 62 countries were in attendance. The congress presented 112 clinical panels and lectures as well as 37 hours of scientific abstracts. There were seven expert directed cadaver dissections and a ‘carotid injury’ laboratory. The faculty of 327 took time from their clinical and academic schedule to educate this worldwide assembly. In additional to the scientific knowledge disseminated, there was a wonderful soccer tournament with 200 participants. A wonderful exchange of ideas concerning patient care was enjoyed by all who attended. New and exciting science was presented. Areas of treatment employing the use of monoclonal antibodies were presented to standing room only meeting rooms. New directions in surgery were presented and the most recent refinements of current surgical techniques were discussed, and the audience enjoyed a very robust question and answer dialogue. Controversies addressed included the understanding of the microbiome, the continued use of bacterial cultures, what to culture as well as what to treat, and the use of DNA R18 assays. The use of probiotics was discussed.
The ARS honoured Valerie Lund, CBE, with a lifetime achievement award. Later that same day, Prof Lund was also honoured with the women in rhinology first honorific for leadership.
RhinoWorld 2019 remembered Professor Heinz Stammberger, in a sombre and respectfully moving eulogy service, with Drs Kennedy and Lund delivering person tributes to one of the true giants in the field of rhinology.
The meeting closed with all present recommitted to the concepts of international collaboration and education in the field of rhinology. Professors Metin Onerci and David Kennedy invited all to attend the ERS2020 (in collaboration with IRS/ISAIN) in Thessaloniki, Greece in June 2020 and the Rhinology World Congress in Saint Petersburg, Russia in July 2021!
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