MERC10 Congress Report
The Second Middle East Congress on Rhinology and Facial
Plastic Surgery – MERC2010
Tehran hosted the biennial Middle East Congress on Rhinology and
Facial Plastic Surgery (MERC) for the second time on November 17th
to 19th, 2010.
Over the last couple of years, the MERC earned recognition,
around the region and in many parts of the world, as a top-class
learning experience. The meeting was organized by Rhinology Research
Society (RRS) and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. It was held
under auspices of European Rhinologic Society and European Academy
of Facial Plastic Surgery. The president of the meeting was Dr.
Mohesn Naraghi, who was also the chair of the RRS.
The opening ceremony was included donation of Professor Reza
Award to the outstanding pioneers of rhinology and facial plastic
surgery in the Middle East.
The Olympic Hotel convention center provided an excellent venue
for the second Middle East Congress on Rhinology and Facial Plastic
Surgery.
The attendees enjoyed a wonderful chance to tour the beautiful city
of Tehran, with all its historical monuments, palaces, museums, and
cultural heritage. Also, some had the opportunity of a trip to the
historical cities of Esfahan and Shiraz, visiting many world-famous
tourist attractions there.
The congress was structured in a manner that it covered both
scopes of rhinology and facial plastic surgery at the same time. In
the mornings, plenary sessions were in order, and in the afternoons,
the participants chose which lecture hall to attend.
The MERC2010 had a "full-engagement" formula. All the ingredients
of this successful formula were noticeable during this year's
meeting.
More than 500 attendees, mostly otolaryngologists, rhinologists,
facial plastic surgeons, and plastic surgeons from 11 countries,
took part in the twin program.
The attendees had the unique opportunity to be closely in touch
with some of the most famous masters in the field in a welcoming
congenial atmosphere.
The distinguished faculty included renowned international guest
speakers from the United States, Europe, and the region.
The Iranian faculty were also among the best in the field, many of
them with high international reputation.
The meeting commenced with a session including introductory
lectures on rhinoplasty delivered by Rollin K. Daniel and Sam Most,
both from California; and also benchmark lectures on sinus surgery
by Hannes Braun from Graz and Ramtin Kassir from New York. In the
afternoon of the first day, mini-seminars on surgical rejuvenation
of the middle and lower face, and also endoscopic lift of the upper
face were underway, with two instruction courses on FESS and
rhino-neurosurgery and also two separate instruction courses on
nasal reconstruction, and photography for facial plastic surgery in
another hall.
The second day of the meeting, again, began with a plenary
morning session with landmark presentations on rhinoplasty and
rhino-neurosurgery.
Subsequent sessions addressing round table on nasal tip surgery
techniques and mini-seminar on the crooked nose.
Meanwhile, sessions on blepharoplasty and non-surgical measures in
facial plastics were underway in another hall.
Video demonstrations of original unpublished cases performed by
masters was the last order of each day. These included presentations
on endonasal endoscopic orbital surgery, rhinoplasty and face lift
rejuvenation surgery.
These interactive sessions allowed participants to virtually enter
the operating room with the experts, and be guided with greater
detail through techniques, with before-after documentations to
demonstrate the outcome of various procedures.
The third day commenced with instruction courses on the nasal
valve and also fillers and neuromodulators 2010 followed by lectures
on diced cartilage grafts on rhinoplasty.
All presentations were clear, detailed and contained enormous loads
of experience and practical tips in each subject. All sessions
included adequate opportunity for questions and fruitful dialogue
between the participants and the faculty.
The courses was well attended, presented, and organized, and
proved to be of exceptional value to attendees at all levels. It
aimed toward structured learning for experienced surgeons, while at
the same time contributed greatly to the teaching of the next
generation of rhinologists and facial plastic surgeons.
These are a few quotes from evaluation forms and emails from
attendees: "Intensive, but great teaching." "excellent lectures and
video presentations." "This is an outstanding course. Please contact
me for the future one." "All issues were addressed in this course."
"I've learned a lot, about a lot of different subjects!"
The social programs of the course included dinning out at various
traditional Persian restaurants with traditional live music at night
time.
The closing social event of the MERC2010, was "The Persian
Evening." This featured two separate parts. First, the Rastak folk
music band, featuring 12 impressive young women and men,
outstandingly performed various Iranian songs. They were greeted
with an endless applause by the audience.
Then the Shenlick dance group performed exquisite variations of
Iranian folk dance. One international faculty member said: "This was
the best closing ceremony I've ever seen."
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