On May 20th 2014, the ninth annual world-wide visioconference LION Global Otology – Neurotology Live Surgical Broadcast took place, with life presentations of the newest oto- and neurotological surgical techniques by the best surgeons from the leading centers located all over the world.
The LION project, initiated in 2006, is aimed to use the modern teleconferencing technology solutions to improve the level of continuing education in otolaryngology globally. It involves permanent interactive worldwide education network providing an immediate access to the knowledge and experience of international experts in otology and neurotology to any physician who can use a computer with internet access. Key element of this system are the yearly visioconferences with participation of otosurgeons representing the elite centers worldwide.
During this year’s LION Broadcast, 37 demonstration surgeries were presented from centers in France, United Arab Emirates, Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil and Canada. From the World Hearing Center there were two surgeries transmitted, performed by Prof. Henryk Skarżyński: cochlear implantation (with Med-El Flex electrode) in partial deafness treatment and ossiculoplasty with glassionomer cement.
These surgeries were observed by several thousand participants in the entire world, either in conference rooms in hospitals and medical universities, or watching the broadcast through the internet. The World Hearing Center gave for the disposal of participants a modern teleconference studio with specialized equipment which enabled not only watching the surgeries, but also discussing with instructors. A large group of students from the Medical University of Warsaw and employees of the IFPS took advantage of this opportunity.