2010 AAO-HNSF miniseminars: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010

The 2010 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), the largest meeting of ear, nose, and throat doctors in the world, will convene September 26-29, 2010, in Boston, MA.

Featuring more than 305 scientific research sessions, 594 posters, and several hundred instruction course hours for attendees, the annual meeting is a unique opportunity for journalists from around the world to cover breaking science and medical news. Reporters will have access to the latest research and clinical advances in the field of otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.

Information for the Media

The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Newsroom will be located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 052. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 25, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday-Tuesday, September 26 - 28, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 29, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the news media. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event. To register and view advance press releases, log onto the AAO-HNS website at http://am2010.entnet.org/attendees/press.cfm.

Innovations in Cleft Lip Repair: A Multicenter Perspective

Presenters: Travis Tollefson, MD (moderator); Craig Senders, MD; Sherard Tatum, MD; Tom Wang, MD; Jonathan Sykes, MD

Time: 8:00 am

Location: Room 258

Boston, MA - Novel approaches in the management of children with cleft lip and palate have contributed to a variety of treatment paradigms. Cleft and craniofacial teams with both pediatric otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery backgrounds continue to develop new methods in cleft lip repair.

In a seminar presented at the 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed recently published modifications of the microform, unilateral, and bilateral cleft lip repair. They also noted other innovations that seek to improve the aesthetic outcome, such as the subunit approach, suture choice, tissue glue, and scar prevention.

From their findings, researchers noted that different institutions have different approachs to common problems in management of the cleft lip and nasal deformity. The authors support the goals of the Specialty Surgery Committee of the AAFPRS in fostering collaboration between cleft surgeons within the pediatric otolaryngology and the facial plastic surgery subspecialties.

What's New in Implantable Hearing Devices

Presenters: William Slattery, MD (moderator); Craig Buchman, MD; Jose Fayad, MD; Cliff Megerian, MD; John Dornhoffer, MD

Time: 9:30 am

Location: Room 253

Boston, MA - The past ten years have seen the introduction of new devices for treatment of sensorineural hearing loss and innovations being made in cochlear implant technology.

In a paper presented at the 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers sought to explore current cochlear implant technology, as well as an overview of technology in development.

The current FDA-approved devices were presented at the seminar, with a brief overview of the products in development, and FDA trials most likely to have a significant impact on patients' hearing loss.

The researchers noted that the general otolaryngologist should be able to understand implant systems available for treatment of mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss.

Cultural Competency, Health Disparities & Health Literacy

Presenters: Duane Taylor, MD (moderator); Lisa Perry-Gilkes, MD; Ronald Kuppersmith, MD, MBA; Phyllis Bouvier, MD

Time: 10:30

Location: Room 157

Boston, MA - A new study suggests that health literacy, cultural competency, and health disparities apply to patients of all diverse backgrounds in an ever-changing, more diverse population.

In a seminar presented at the 2010 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that there can be cultural, gender, language, literacy, religious, sexual orientation, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in hearing impairment.

The authors noted that patient interactions and enhanced advocacy will improve cultural competency perspectives and health literacy in their offices, as well as aid in understanding different cultural and religious backgrounds.

Provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery