8th Ukrainian-Polish Otorhinolaryngology Congress

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The congress is the result of strong collaboration between the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Bogomolets National Medical University in Kyiv and the Chair and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at UCK WUM. This year’s scientific program was also supported by the team from the Chair and Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy at UCK WUM. The event was held under the patronage of the rectors of both universities: Prof. Yurii Kuchyn and Prof. Rafał Krenke.

The congress took place on April 17 and 18 in an online format due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, it brought together over 2,500 otorhinolaryngologists, specialists from related fields, and young researchers from Ukraine, Poland, the United Kingdom, and other countries, confirming its well-established position.
The two-day event combined a scientific symposium with intensive workshops. This year’s theme was “Innovative technologies in otorhinolaryngology.”
The chairs of the congress scientific committee were Prof. Oleksandr Naumenko, Vice Rector for Research, Teaching, and Postgraduate Education at Bogomolets National Medical University, and Prof. Kazimierz Niemczyk, Head of the Chair and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at UCK WUM.

Opening of the congress and outlook for further collaboration

The opening ceremony had a highly formal tone. The national anthems of both countries were played, and Prof. Yurii Kuchyn and Prof. Rafał Krenke delivered ceremonial speeches. Both emphasized the importance of the Polish-Ukrainian partnership in the face of the multifaceted crisis affecting Ukraine and expressed hope that the strong cooperation between the universities would continue to grow and result in numerous achievements. They also declared their willingness to exchange visits, both at the level of university authorities and through research fellowships, as well as their readiness to establish a virtual bridge enabling scientific and clinical exchange.

Exchange of knowledge and experience

The first day of the congress covered a wide range of clinical topics, divided into two main thematic sessions. The first, otology-focused session was moderated by Prof. Oleksandr Naumenko, Prof. Kazimierz Niemczyk, and Prof. Yuliia Dieieva.
The session opened with a presentation by Prof. Naumenko on a multidisciplinary approach to treating soldiers with sensorineural hearing loss caused by blast injuries. This is one of the most urgent issues in contemporary medicine, directly reflecting the realities of wartime healthcare.
The second session focused on respiratory diseases and head and neck oncology and was led by the same moderators. It included a presentation by the Rector of WUM and Head of the Chair and Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases and Allergy at UCK WUM, Prof. Rafał Krenke, on current advances in bronchoscopic diagnostics in adults. Prof. Lidia Zawadzka-Głos, Head of the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Pediatrics at UCK WUM, discussed bronchoscopy in pediatric patients. Speakers from Poland also shared their experience in treating refractory chronic cough, the use of biologic therapies in obstructive lung diseases, and the application of laser surgery in precancerous conditions of the larynx.
The team from NMU presented treatment algorithms for reconstructive management of complex facial injuries sustained in combat, transoral CO₂ laser microsurgery for oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers, and the differential diagnosis of facial pain in otolaryngological practice.

Masterclass workshops

The second day of the congress was devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract and the ear. Prof. Kazimierz Niemczyk and Dr. Robert Bartoszewicz conducted a two-hour practical course on the surgical treatment of rare skull base pathologies, followed by a discussion with participants.
Barry Seemungal, Head of the Centre for Vestibular Neurology at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, presented a detailed review of vestibular disorders in moderate and severe brain injuries. The topic was very well received by the audience. The workshop day concluded with a presentation by the NMU team on functional and aesthetic reconstruction following head and neck injuries caused by explosions, which is of particular clinical importance in the context of the ongoing war.

Congress summary

Thanks to the use of a modern online platform and the latest technologies, the 8th Ukrainian-Polish Otorhinolaryngology Congress ran smoothly and received high praise for its highly informative and engaging program.
However, participants emphasized that they hope the next edition of this important event will be held in person in Kyiv.

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