Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery 12^th Course 2026

29–30 August 2026 | Sydney Surgical Skills Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital

Welcome

We’re excited to host the 12th Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery (SEES) Course on 29–30 August 2026. SEES remains the only dedicated endoscopic ear surgery course in Australia & New Zealand, with a global reputation for hands-on, high-quality training.

Two full days. World-class faculty. High-definition stacks and state-of-the-art instrumentation (Karl Storz) and the latest drill technology (Medtronic). Fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. Course dinner at Sails on Lavender Bay overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

International Faculty:

• • Prof Daniele Marchioni — widely regarded as a master of the endoscopic method; author of Endoscopic Ear Surgery: Principles, Indications and Techniques and Endoscopic Lateral Skull Base Surgery (book 1, book 2)
  • Dr Wai Tsz Chang — Deputy Chief, Division of Otology & Neurotology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; innovative contributor to EES

We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney.

Warm regards,
Nirmal

(for the Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery Research Group)

At a Glance

• • Format: 2 days of lectures, demonstrations, and fresh-frozen cadaver dissection (both sides)
  • Capacity: 20 dissectors (strict cap) + 10 observers
  • Venue: Sydney Surgical Skills Centre (SSSC), Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital
  • CPD: 18 hours (RACS-accredited); ASOHNS recognises the course for trainee logbooks
  • Dinner: Sails on Lavender Bay

Who Should Attend

Otolaryngology trainees and practicing otologists/otolaryngologists seeking a structured, safe pathway to adopt or refine endoscopic ear techniques.

Learning Objectives

• • Build a coherent, step-wise understanding of endoscopic ear anatomy from the middle ear to the internal auditory canal.
  • Practise endoscopic dissection skills to confidently and safely introduce EES into clinical practice.

What You’ll Learn

• • EES setup, ergonomics, haemostasis, instrument handling
  • Step-by-step middle ear and beyond: protympanum/ET/tensor fold, epitympanum/atticotomy, retro- & hypotympanum, infracochlear corridor, inner ear
  • Endoscopic management of cholesteatoma, perforations, and paediatric considerations
  • Evidence-based management of ETD/PET; scope limitations & pearls
  • Live commentary on pre-recorded surgery with Q&A
  • Meet-the-experts open forum

Faculty

Course Directors

• • Clinical Prof Nirmal Patel
  • Clinical A/Prof Nicholas Jufas

Local Faculty

• • Clinical A/Prof Jonathan Kong
  • Clinical A/Prof Alex Saxby

International Faculty

• • Prof Daniele Marchioni
  • Dr Wai Tsz Chang

Programme

Day 1 — Saturday, 29 Aug

07:30–08:00 Coffee, breakfast, registration
08:00–08:30 Welcome & Introduction; Endoscopic ear anatomy & ventilation
08:30–09:00 Demonstration 1: Holding the scope; TM flap; survey of middle ear (Prof Marchioni)
09:00–11:30 Dissection 1 (split groups; morning tea at 10:15)

1. 1. Ear prep, TM flap, Prussak’s space
   2. Protympanum, ET, tensor fold
   3. Epitympanum; lateral atticotomy
   4. Retro- & hypotympanum

11:30–12:30 Lectures 1

• • Instruments & equipment (15)
  • Control of bleeding (15)
  • Paediatric EES (15)
  • Endoscopic cholesteatoma (15)

12:30–13:00 Lunch + course photograph
13:00–13:30 Demonstration 2: Techniques; anatomy including inner ear (Prof Marchioni)
13:30–16:00 Dissection 2 (split groups; tea at 14:45)
5) Ossicular removal; extended atticotomy
6) Tympanic plexus; facial nerve
7) Major vessels; infracochlear approach
8) Inner ear

16:00–17:30 Panel discussion (Moderator: N. Patel)
19:00–22:00 Course Dinner — Sails on Lavender Bay (sailslavenderbay.com)

Day 2 — Sunday, 30 Aug

07:30–08:00 Coffee & recap
08:00–11:00 Dissection 3 (A/B alternate)

• • Demonstrations: Tympanoplasty, OCR (ossicular chain reconstruction), Stapedectomy
  • Dissector time on tympanoplasty / stapes / OCR
  • Early start on second ear if ahead
  • Observers/other group: Pre-recorded live surgery with surgeon commentary & Q&A
    (Morning tea at 09:30)

11:00–12:00 Lectures 2

• • Tips & pearls for EES (15)
  • Beyond the middle ear (15)
  • Evidence-based ETD/PET management (30)

12:00–12:30 Lunch
12:30–13:00 Demonstration 3: Eustachian tube balloon dilation
13:00–16:00 Second ear specimen: repeat anatomical run-through or simulate clinical applications (stapedotomy, OCR, myringoplasty, cholesteatoma resection)
16:00–16:15 Course close (feedback & concluding remarks)

Programme subject to minor change.

Fees (AUD)

• • Dissector (20 spots): $3,300
  • Observer (10 spots): $1,350

Included:

• • Full 2-day course and lab access
  • Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea (both days)
  • Course book (anatomy + step-by-step dissection method)
  • Online revision materials
  • Course dinner at Sails on Lavender Bay

Venue

Sydney Surgical Skills Centre (SSSC) — Level 6, Kolling Building, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney

• • Lectures & catering: Level 5
  • Lab & dissection: Level 6

Transport

• • ~3 km north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
  • St Leonards train station (T1 North Shore Line) adjacent to campus
  • Crows Nest Metro ~10-minute walk

Accommodation

The Kolling Building is ~4 km from the CBD; city hotels offer easy access by train, taxi, or rideshare.

CPD & Accreditation

• • Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS): 18 CPD hours
  • ASOHNS: Recognised as an additional course for trainee logbooks