10th International Congress on Surgical and Prosthetic Rehabilitation after Laryngectomy
6th International EGFL Workshop

High Tech Rehabilitation after Laryngectomy

April 17 - 20, 2005
University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Organised by:
EGFL
ELS (invited society)
ESEM (invited society)

On behalf of the three organising societies I cordially invite you to come to Groningen and enjoy this congress. In 1984, so exactly twenty years ago, the first International Congress on Surgical and Prosthetic Rehabilitation after Laryngectomy took place in Würzburg, Germany. Since then, research has become more and more multidisciplinary, involving both medical specialists and technical experts. Secondly, many new societies and congresses have started, making it impossible to join all relevant congresses.

This congress is the result of striving for integration of meetings and disciplines, so it is organised by EGFL (the European study Group for rehabilitation and Functional surgery following Laryngectomy) and two invited societies, ELS (the European Laryngological Society) and ESEM (the European Society for Engineering and Medicine).

During this congress we will present you with the latest information about scientific progress concerning laryngectomy and the subsequent rehabilitation process. Six sessions are scheduled, dealing with organ preservation, voice rehabilitation, the possibilities of tissue engineering, and new surgical reconstructions after laryngectomy, clinical experiences with prosthetic devices, etc.

April is a perfect time to visit Holland. Spring is starting, terraces just opened, flowers are in bloom and the sun is shining (although, please remember that you are in Holland, also famous for its showers!). Come and enjoy Groningen, learn about each other.s experiences and contribute to the discussion and bring, eventually, health care to a higher level!

Bart Verkerke, congress chairman

Congress organising committee

The congress is organised by the University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and the University Hospital Groningen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology.
Members of the organising committee are:
Prof.dr.ir. G.J. Verkerke (congress chairman)
Mrs. E. van Drooge (congress secretariat)
Drs. E.J.O. ten Hallers
Ir. E.B. van der Houwen
Drs. E.D. de Jong
Dr. B.F.A.M. van der Laan
Dr. G. Rakhorst
Prof.dr. H.K. Schutte
Ir. J.W. Tack

Congress secretariat:

Mrs. E. van Drooge
University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV
Groningen, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 50 363 3140, Fax: +31 50 363 3159
Email: e.van.drooge@med.rug.nl

Scientific committee

EGFL board
Prof.dr. H.F. Mahieu (President)
Prof.dr.ir. G.J. Verkerke (Secretary-general)
Prof.dr. H. Holden (Honorary president)
Prof.dr. I.F. Herrmann
Prof.dr. A. Staffieri
Prof.dr. J. Algaba
Prof.dr. R. Hagen
Prof.dr. J.P. Marie
Prof.dr. P. Delaere
Prof.dr. J.A. Olias

ELS board
Prof.dr. M. Andrea (President of ELS)
Prof.dr. P. Bradley (President-elect)
Prof.dr. M. Quer (Vice-President)
Prof.dr. M. Remacle (Secretary-general)
Prof.dr. H.E. Eckel (Treasurer)

ESEM board
Prof.dr. T.C. Lee (President of ESEM)
Prof.dr.ir. G.J. Verkerke (Secretary-general)
Prof.dr. H.J. Hein (Treasurer)
Dr. F.J. O.Brien

Congress website

For the latest information, please visit the congress website: www.med.rug.nl/bme/egfl

Congress venue

Rode Zaal of the University Hospital Groningen
(Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen)
Hanzeplein 1
9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands

Official language

The official congress language will be English.

Abstract submission

We welcome abstracts for free paper or poster sessions. Submission deadline is 15 February 2005. Submission is possible via the congress website.

Industrial exhibition

During the congress an industrial exhibition will be held. For more information, please contact the congress secreariat.

Registration

Due to the size of the auditorium and exhibition hall the number of participants is limited, so please register in time to ensure your participation. Registration is possible via he congress website.

The congress fee is € 275, for accompanying persons € 110. This includes the congress dinner, reception, social activity and (for congress participants) all lunches and coffee/tea breaks.

Hotel accommodation

Two hotels offer rooms at a reduced price. Reservation is possible via the congress website.

Travel

If you come by plane to Schiphol . Amsterdam, you can take a train to Groningen.
The congress venue and the hotels are within walking distance of the railway station in Groningen, of course it is also possible to go by taxi. For further details you can contact the congress secretariat.

Social Program

On Sunday 17 April 2005 a welcoming reception will be organised.
On the evening of Monday or Tuesday a cultural event is planned. The congress will be closed by a congress dinner on Wednesday 20 April 2005.