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Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery,
University of Crete, Greece and
11 Panhellenic Congress of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and
Neck Surgery, II World Congress of Otolaryngic Allergy,
Endoscopy and Laser Surgery,
Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology,
Head and Neck Surgery and of the Panhellenic Society of
Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

P. Dimov, K. Tenev, G. Stoyanov

Clinic of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

 

FIG. 1. The School of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.

 

The University of Crete, Greece was founded in 1973 and starts its activity in 1977. The University is situated in two towns - Heraklion and Rethymnon. The Rethymnon complex includes the School of Phylosophy, the School of Social Sciences and the School of Education. In Heraklion the School of Physical Sciences and the School of Medicine are based. At about 6000 students are being taught at the University

The Faculties of Philosophy and Social Sciences are located in Rethynon. The Medical Faculty and the University Hospital are in Heraklion. Since 1989 the library at the Medical Faculty has on its own more than 2000 titles and 450 biomedical journals. The computer system secure free access to international information data. The Laser Centre on the island is one of the biggest in Europe. During 1993 - 1995 Prof. Helidonis was the Dean of the Medical Faculty.

The University Hospital of Heraklion is among the newest health institutions of Greece, operating since October 1989. It is located just across the complex of the School of Medicine and the School of Physical Sciences buildings about 7 km to the town of Heraklion. 92 specialists with academic rank, 337 doctors and 730 nurses work in the hospital. The two basic purposes in front of the University Hospital are to provide on one hand a high leveled education for the students and postgraduates and on the other hand -a highly qualified health care for the population.

The ENT Department in the University Hospital at the University of Crete has 40 beds on its own. The doctor staff consists of 1 professor, 3 associate professors, 3 internists, 7 postgraduates.

Since 2000 the Department of Otolaryngology in Heraklion and Stara Zagora have had a close collaboration. These relationships are a part of the Twin - City Program started by Prof. Jan Grote, General Secretary of IFOS and continead by Prof. Erwin Offeciers now. After the invitation of Prof. Helidonis Assoc. Prof. P. Dimov visited Crete in October, 2000. In May, 2001 Prof. Helidonis and Dr. Hadjijonnou visited Stara Zagora and took part in the Seminar on Otology and Neuro - Otology. Prof. Helidonis was a offcial guest of the event. Right after the happening in accordance with the Program Erasmus Dr. K. Tenev and Dr. G. Stoyanov spent a three months specialization in Crete. Their training has been under the guidance of Prof. Helidonis, Assoc. Prof. Velegrakis and Assoc. Prof. Bizakis. The Bulgarian doctors took part in the diagnostic - curing and the operative activities of the Otolaryngology ENT Department which include operations of ears, nose, head and neck (operations for otitis media chronica supporativa, cochlear implantations, malignant tumours, surgery of Gl. Thireoidea, FESS, laser surgery of ENT organs). The two young Bulgarian doctors, had the opportunity to obtain valuable experience in the ENT speciality and also in their scientific work.

 

Prof. Dr. Emmanuel S. Helidonis, M.D., F.A.C.S.

 

The equipment, organisation in the Department and the operation unit are at a high European level. A multispectral laser diagnostics of malignant tumours of ENT organs is being done. Prof. Helidonis conviction is that the good Head should not only be an exceptional profesional but a good teacher for the young doctors either. It is a tradition for the postgraduates of the ENT Department in Crete to visit periodically courses in leading Clinics in the USA and Europe.

Under the guidance of Prof. Helidonis, supported by Prof. Myers and the American Association on ORL- HNS from 20th till 23th of June, 2001 in Athens the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Panhellenic Society of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS) met together with the occasion of the 11 Panhellenic Congress of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery was held. Another event took place in the time of Congress along with the others meetings. It was the Second World Congress of Otorhinolary-ngologic Allergy, Endoscopy and Laser Surgery. More than 1600 specialists from all over the world participated in the event. Lecturers were world - famous names such as Prof. Myers, Prof. Helms, Prof. Draff, Prof. Hildman, Prof. Onergy, Prof. Stankovic, Prof. Siegert, Prof. Minin, Prof. Swakts, Prof. Facek and others.

Prof. Metin Onergy, Turkey was elected as a President of the World International Society of Otolaryngology, Allergology, Endoscopy.

During the Congress’ days a Balkan Association of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery (BSORL - HNS) was founded owing to the idea and energetic interference of Prof. Helidonis and with the honourable participation of Prof. Myers. The foundaters were from 7 countries: Albania, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Bulgaria. Some of the presentators of these countries were P. Radovani (Albania), P. Goumas , K. Economou, S. Korres, N. Simaskos, E. Helidonis, J. Yiotakis, E. Ferekidis (Greece), Vl. Popovski (Macedonia), St. Cotulbea (Romania), N. Arsovic, Sp. Predrag, V. Dukic, M. Stankovic, Dr. Djeric, R. Radulovic (Serbia), L. Erisen, S. Kaya, M. Onerci (Turkey), T. Karchev, P. Dimov, J. Kovatchev, Sp. Konsulov (Bulgaria) etc. At the first conference of the newly set up Association Prof. T. Karchev (Bulgaria) has been elected for its President. Discussions upon the problems, perspectives and possibilities for a contribution among ENT - specialists from the Balkan region were also done. The contacts between the coleagues from the Balkan countries were consolidated and future joint projects were outlined.

The organisation of the World forum was at a high professional level. The Congress took place on the beautiful Voliagmeni peninsula in the prestigious Astir Palace Hotel Complex. The academism combined with friendly atmosphere and wonderful surrounding made the World Congress a pleasant and beneficial event.

 

 

FIG. 2. A view from the old Knossos,4 km to Heraklion.

  

FIG. 3. The port of Heraklion.

 

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