Mel Corbett, ST6 ENT, Saint Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Sligo Bay and Knocknarea hill provided the backdrop to the 2023 gathering of the Irish Otolaryngology Society. Trainees and consultants from across the island and further afield came together for a busy schedule of academic talks followed by an even busier social schedule with an elegant black-tie gala dinner, preceded by an insightful Wilde Discourse delivered by Professor Claire Hopkins.
Academic presentations ran from Friday to Saturday across all subspecialities with a dynamic and diverse mix of talks. The meeting had a rhinology theme, with a panel of international expert guest speakers delivering state-of-the-art presentations with the latest evidence base for their practices.
Mr Sean Carrie of Newcastle presented the results of the NAIROS multicentre trial on septoplasty versus medical management, showing favourable outcomes for the surgical arm of the trial. Professors Claire Hopkins and Stephen Lane delivered eye-catching presentations on novel monoclonal antibodies for chronic rhinosinusitis which are certain to play a massive role in the future of rhinologic practice. Ms Louise Melia delivered a comprehensive overview of complex skull base rhinology from her experience of challenging cases in a tertiary centre with capacity to facilitate a series of increasingly impressive skull base and neurosurgical cases.
Congratulations to the free paper winner Jessica Wauchope whose presentation on acute vertigo in the emergency department was deemed the most impactful and practice-changing by the panel of judges. Rory O’Neill and his RCT on topical anaesthesia took home the Aongus Curran memorial prize for the best head and neck presentation, while Vianka Marcelino won the poster prize.
The second post-COVID face-to-face IOS meeting was a resounding success, and as Mr Robin Adair hands the presidential reigns to Professor Rory McConn Walsh, all delegates look forward to the next annual meeting in 2024.
As Professor Nash Patil said in his comments on Friday morning, these events foster endearing bonds across our speciality, and have a positive impact on patient care.
Many thanks to the corporate sponsors who were on hand throughout the weekend to showcase their latest devices and pharmaceuticals.
Next meeting: Titanic, Belfast, 11-12 October 2024. https://iosconference.org/
