Description: Fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for young doctors to develop their professional, scientific, and technical skills. However, obtaining a fellowship requires considerable effort, and with so many opportunities available, it can be challenging to find the right one.

Objectives – Aim and Learning Outcomes of this Instructional Course: ·       To provide an overview of national and international ENT fellowship opportunities across various subspecialties (e.g., rhinology, otology, pediatric ENT, head & neck, facial plastic surgery) ·       To understand the structure, requirements, and application processes for fellowships in different countries ·       To share practical insights on preparing a competitive fellowship application (CV, motivation letter, reference letters) ·       To explore how fellowships contribute to clinical expertise and academic development in an ENT career

This Course is Intended For: ·       Young ENT colleagues and residents interested in pursuing advanced clinical or research training through fellowships ·       Senior ENT colleagues seeking guidance to support or mentor junior colleagues in their fellowship planning

What to Expect from this Course: ·       Comprehensive lectures on fellowship structures in Europe, the UK, the US, and other international programs ·       Step-by-step guidance through fellowship application processes, timelines, and key requirements ·       Interactive discussion of real-world experiences from recent fellows ·       Open Q&A sessions addressing common doubts, barriers, and practical concerns ·       Peer exchange and network-building among participants interested in similar paths

Structure: Session duration: 30 minutes. Presentation time: 10 minutes per speaker. Discussion: 5 minutes after each talk. One speaker will focus on fellowship opportunities and benefits; the other on practical aspects and how to apply.

Background:

1.     Surda P, Fokkens WJ. Novel, Alternative, and Controversial Therapies of Rhinitis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2016 May;36(2):401-23. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2015.12.014. Epub 2016 Mar 8. PMID: 27083111.

2.     Walker A, Surda P. Unsupervised Learning Techniques for the Investigation of Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2019 Dec;128(12):1170-1176. doi: 10.1177/0003489419863822. Epub 2019 Jul 18. PMID: 31319675.

3.     Faulkner J, Naidoo R, Arora A, Jeannon JP, Hopkins C, Surda P. Combined robotic transorbital and transnasal approach to the nasopharynx and anterior skull base: Feasibility study. Clin Otolaryngol. 2020 Jul;45(4):630-633. doi: 10.1111/coa.13550. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32301568.

4.     M. Cherkes, P. Pondorfer-Schaefer, J. Pock, S. Spendel, D. Thurnher, Case Report.A toddler with acute, life-threatening airway obstruction due to a retropharyngeal macrocytic lymphatic malformation: successful emergency sclerotherapy., International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112433.

5.     Iannella G., Pace A., Greco A., De Virgilio A., Gatti L, Maniaci A., Lechien J., Hervochon R., Faramarzi A., Mat Q., Cherkes M., Koiner-Graupp M, Boscolo-Rizzo P., Vaira LA & Magliulo G. (25 Nov 2024): Endoscopic versus microscopic approach in the treatment of atelectatic otitis media, Acta Oto-Laryngologica, DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2024.2424947

6.     Cherkes M., Masna Z., Rudes M., Vasyliv M. Variability of pneumatization of the frontal and maxillary sinus accorded CT scans data. 67th Austrian ENT Congress. September 27th – 30th. 2023. Vienna. Austria. Abstract Book. PN 26. p. 102.

7.     Bobyk VP, Raba BM, Cherkes MB et al. Newborn hearing screening: results of the first phase of the pilot program. Experimental and clinical physiology and biochemistry, ECPB 2023, 1/2(96):68–74.

Description Cochlear implantation (CI) is a demanding surgical procedure that requires surgeons to have the necessary experience and surgical technique. CI in children is particularly challenging due to their smaller anatomy and possible malformations. The management of possible complications is also of the utmost importance.

Outcome After the session, attendees should be able to recognize constellations that are prone to complications in paediatric CI. The aim is to learn how to prevent these complications, and, if complications arise, how to manage them properly.

Structure of the session The session is planned to be 60 minutes with 4 speakers, each having 10 minutes of talk and 5 minutes of discussion. The complications that are focussed at are: 1) injury of the skull base and dura, 2) injury of the facial nerve structures, 3) intraoperative Gusher-Syndrome, 4) malformation of the cochlear.

Background

1.            Yılmaz Topçuoğlu, M.S., et al., Long-term outcome of patients with Ménière's disease following cochlear implantation: a comprehensive outcome study with validated assessment tools. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 2024.

2.            Yılmaz Topçuoğlu, M.-S., et al., Das komplizierte kindliche Mittelohrhämangiom. HNO, 2023. 71(4): p. 270-273.

3.            Yılmaz Topçuoğlu, M.-S., et al., Adhear zur Hörrehabilitation bei einer seltenen Form der Schallleitungsschwerhörigkeit. Laryngorhinootologie, 2024(EFirst).

4.            Yılmaz Topçuoğlu, M.-S. and V. Lohnherr, Angeborene Hörstörungen. Pädiatrie, 2024. 36(1): p. 48-53.

5.            Arndt, S., et al., Long-term outcomes of tympanoplasty with persistent air-bone gap in adults with chronic otitis media: hearing, health care utilization and quality of life. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2025.

6.            Cushing, S.L., et al., Vestibular end-organ dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss and cochlear implants: an expanded cohort and etiologic assessment. Otol Neurotol, 2013. 34(3): p. 422-8.

7.            Cushing, S.L., et al., Evidence of vestibular and balance dysfunction in children with profound sensorineural hearing loss using cochlear implants. Laryngoscope, 2008. 118(10): p. 1814-23.

8.            Skarzynski, P.H., et al., Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Far-Advanced Otosclerosis Who Had Previously Undergone Stapes Surgery. J Int Adv Otol, 2024. 20(2): p. 101-107.

9.            Skarżyńska, M.B., et al., Preservation of Hearing Following Cochlear Implantation Using Different Steroid Therapy Regimens: A Prospective Clinical Study. Med Sci Monit, 2018. 24: p. 2437-2445.

10.         Skarzynski, P.H., et al., Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation Using FLEX26 Electrode: Audiological Results and Quality of Life after 12 Months. Audiol Neurootol, 2023. 28(6): p. 458-465.

11.         Hoth, S., P. Spitzer, and M. Praetorius, A new approach for the determination of ECAP thresholds. Cochlear Implants Int, 2018. 19(2): p. 104-114.

12.         Plath, M., et al., Prospective study on health-related quality of life in patients before and after cochlear implantation. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2022. 279: p. 115-125.

13.         Plath, M., et al., [Validity and reliability of the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire in German]. Hno, 2022. 70(6): p. 422-435.

14.         Steinmetzger, K., et al., A direct comparison of voice pitch processing in acoustic and electric hearing. Neuroimage Clin, 2022. 36: p. 103188.