At the Open Medical Institute, learning does not end with the closing lecture of a seminar in Salzburg.
For two young Croatian otolaryngologists, an OMI seminar became the starting point for an idea: to bring internationally recognized otology experts to Croatia and create a forum for clinical exchange among ENT surgeons. In June 2026, that idea became reality.
From June 18-19, 2026, the first OMI satellite symposium in Otology was held at the University Hospital Center Osijek, gathering participants from Croatia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Accredited by the Croatian Medical Chamber, the meeting focused on chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma, one of the most demanding conditions in otology.
Although cholesteatoma is a familiar diagnosis to every ENT surgeon, its management remains challenging. Successful treatment requires accurate diagnosis, careful interpretation of imaging, a detailed understanding of temporal bone anatomy, and often complex surgical decision-making. The symposium aimed to review current concepts but also to provide practical knowledge that participants could apply in their daily clinical work.
A highlight of the meeting was the opportunity to learn from internationally recognized leaders in the field. OMI faculty members Dr. Samuel H. Selesnick, Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology and Professor of Otolaryngology in Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, and Dr. Christoph Arnoldner, Professor of Otolaryngology and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna, teamed up with a distinguished faculty from Croatia representing leading national otology centers: University Hospital Center “Sestre Milosrdnice” Zagreb, University Hospital Center Rijeka, and University Hospital Center Osijek. Particular emphasis was placed on the longstanding contributions of the Zagreb otology team, whose institution performed Croatia’s first cochlear implantation in 1996 and continues to serve as a national reference center for hearing restoration surgery.
The program moved from fundamentals to advanced topics. Lectures addressed the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma, temporal bone radiology, pediatric disease, ossicular chain reconstruction, hearing rehabilitation, and skull base involvement.
Scientific Program:
- Temporal Bone Anatomy; Facial Nerve and Its Relationship with Other Vital Structures of the Lateral Skull Base (Dr. Samuel H. Selesnick, New York)
- Etiopathogenesis of Cholesteatoma and Clinical Findings (Dr. Tihana Mendeš, Osijek)
- History of Ossicular Chain Reconstruction in Chronic Otitis Media (Dr. Robert Trotić, Zagreb)
- Radiology of the Temporal Bone (Zdravka Krivdić Dupan, Osijek)
- Management of Pediatric Cholesteatoma Cases (Dr. Marko Velepič, Rijeka)
- Hearing Rehabilitation and Decision Making in Middle Ear Cholesteatoma Surgery (Dr. Mihael Ries, Zagreb)
- Management of Cholesteatoma Surgery Complications (Dr. Christoph Arnoldner, Vienna)
- Beyond the Temporal Bone; Cholesteatoma Involving the Lateral Skull Base (Dr. Jakov Ajduk, Zagreb)
- Key Essentials of a Good Research Project; Experience by The Laryngoscope Editor-in-Chief (Dr. Samuel H. Selesnick, New York)
A lively round-table discussion tackled some of the most debated questions in contemporary otology, including the advantages and limitations of canal wall up and canal wall down mastoidectomy techniques and the role of staged surgery (Drs. Selesnick, Arnoldner, Riss, Trotić, Ries, Ajduk, and Velepič).
Beyond the lectures, participants had the chance to gain hands-on experience during a workshop dedicated to passive middle ear implants. Residents and specialists practiced ossicular reconstruction techniques using models provided by MED-EL, under the guidance of tutors Drs. Ries and Ajduk.
Yet the scientific program was only part of the story. Throughout the two days, discussions continued between lectures, during coffee breaks, and over meals, long after the scheduled sessions had ended. Young surgeons were able to speak directly with internationally renowned faculty members, while colleagues from different institutions and countries exchanged experiences and explored future collaborations.
In many ways, the symposium reflected the core mission of the Open Medical Institute: creating opportunities for knowledge sharing that extend beyond borders and beyond the duration of a single educational event. What started as participation in an OMI seminar in Salzburg resulted in a new educational platform for the regional ENT community, organized by OMI alumni, supported by international faculty, and attended by colleagues eager to learn from one another.
Organizers’ Reflection:
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Selesnick, Dr. Arnoldner, and the OMI for making this event possible. We are still at a loss for words. These two days have shown us the profound impact of the Open Medical Institute on our education. Being able to hear all the tips and tricks from otolaryngology giants such as Dr. Selesnick and Dr. Arnoldner would have seemed almost unimaginable to us just a few years ago. With their expertise and willingness to share their knowledge, there were many valuable discussions throughout the event. Furthermore, the symposium became even more engaging with a hands-on workshop held on the second day. All participants had the opportunity to try inserting passive middle ear implants on various models and experience how demanding hearing restoration can be. Finally, the symposium fostered new friendships and potential collaborations among participants, meaning that the Open Medical Institute’s goal of sharing knowledge freely was achieved. Thank you for everything, and we hope that this is only the beginning of our collaboration.”
Ivan Abičić, MD, PhD & Matej Rezo, MD, PhD candidate
