09-10, 16:30–17:30 (Europe/Istanbul), Laryngology 2 (ICC - B3 Floor - 3B/09)
One case. Many options. Plenty of opinions.
Zenker’s diverticulum can be treated in several ways—and experienced surgeons do not always agree on which approach is best. Starting with a foundational case, this fast-moving session will explore the full spectrum of treatment through short questions, practical pearls, and candid “hot takes” from an experienced international faculty.
In just 30 minutes, we will cover a lot of ground: patient selection, open and endoscopic approaches, technical controversies, difficult anatomy, recurrence, complications, and what our faculty actually do in practice. Expect clear opinions, friendly disagreement, and useful takeaways rather than a series of traditional lectures.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
Compare the major treatment options for Zenker’s diverticulum.
Identify the patient and anatomic factors that guide selection of an approach.
Recognize areas of agreement—and ongoing controversy—among experienced surgeons.
Apply practical faculty insights to challenging cases, recurrence, and complications.
To provide a lively, high-yield tour of the current spectrum of Zenker’s diverticulum treatment. Using one foundational case and rapid-fire “hot take” questions, experienced faculty will share practical insights, defend their preferred approaches, and debate the controversies that matter. The goal is to cover a remarkable amount of useful clinical ground in 30 minutes
Dr. Fink is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He serves as the section chief of Laryngology. His clinical practice includes the treatment of voice, swallowing, and airway disorders. His research interests include management of airway stenosis, management of chronic cough, and voice outcomes in the management of laryngeal dysplasia and malignancy. Dr. Fink has lectured on topics related to airway, cough, and laryngeal cancer at multiple national meetings and has published widely on all of the above topics.
Dr. Merati is an internationally recognized leader in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Following medical school at the University of Washington under Charlie Cummings, he completed his Otolaryngology training at the University of California at San Diego, including one year of NIH research training. From there, Dr. Merati went to Vanderbilt to study Laryngology with Robert Ossoff at the premier training institution for academic laryngologists. This time at Vanderbilt included work with Jim Netterville on laryngeal framework surgery. Following very productive years at Kansas University and at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Merati returned to his native Seattle in 2007 to head up the Laryngology program at the University of Washington, now widely recognized among the leaders in clinical care, scholarship, and training in the nation. He has over 135 peer reviewed publications and also is the lead editor for the Textbook of Laryngology. He co-founded the Laryngology Education Foundation, the force behind the growth of the Fall Voice Conference, the largest conference of its kind in the world. Dr. Merati’s career focus in Laryngology was to demystify the field and work with others to advance candor, reflection, and communication. Dr. Merati has served as Senior Examiner for the American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and as a Vice President of the Triological Society. Dr. Merati has earned two Distinguished Service awards from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery and is Past-President of the AAO-HNS as well as of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, one of only a few who have held both posts. After serving as Service Chief for Otolaryngology-HNS at UW Medical Center for 5 years, Dr. Merati is now the Associate Medical Director for Perioperative Quality and Safety for the UW Medical Centers. In 2023 Dr Merati was selected to join the AAOHNS Hall of Distinction as a “Living Legend” for his contributions to the field of Otolaryngology – HNS in general.
Dr. McWhorter is a Professor in the LSUHSC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in New Orleans Louisiana and is the Director of the Our Lady of the Lake-LSU Voice Center in Baton Rouge. He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins and his Laryngollogy Fellowship at Vanderbilt. His practiec encompasses the breadth of laryngology with a focus in conservation laryngeal surgery. His research is conducted with Dr. Melda Kunduk and the LSU Voice Laboratory in high speed digital imaging and acoustic analysis.
Dr. Crawley is a Laryngologist at the University of California, Davis, Voice and Swallowing Center. She is a board-certified Otolaryngologist and member of the Academy, the TRIO, and ABEA. She completed her fellowship training at the New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders. Her interests include neurolaryngology, swallowing disorders, performing voice and the surgical airway. She has also completed training in classical vocal performance. Her research involves dysphonia and dysphagia in the elderly and patient experience of in-office laryngologic procedures.