Dear colleagues and friends,

I am humbled to be leading the team that will host the 15th Asian-Oceanian International Congress on Skull Base Surgery in the beautiful city of Fukushima from October, 26th to 27th 2020, in conjunction with the 32nd Annual Meeting of The Japanese Society for Skull Base Surgery from October, 25th to 26th 2020. It is my great pleasure to welcome and invite all young neurosurgeons, ENT surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, radiologists, oncologists as well as basic researchers who are interested in skull base surgery, to join us in these scientific events.

The main theme of the 15th Congress is “The Next Generation”. I would like to dedicate this Congress to the young Asian-Oceanian skull base surgeons. The first Congress was held in 1991 in Tokyo, organized by Prof. Kintomo Takakura. In the last 3 decades, skull base surgery has markedly advanced, with new approaches been developed to treat more difficult lesions. Endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery has evolved to make skull base surgeries less invasive. Now, we have the obligation and responsibility to pass down our knowledge and skills to the next generation, and as Master Yoda from the famous movie “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” said and I quote, “We are what they grow beyond. That is the true burden of all masters.”

In the coming Congress, I will ask our collogues “the Masters” to show and share what they have learned during their amazing careers. In the main sessions, young doctors will have the opportunity to hold scientific discussions about the future of skull base surgeries. We also intend to provide hands-on course on endoscopic skull base surgeries, educational lectures for skull base trainees, and demonstration of cutting-edge 3D, 4K and 8K systems. If feasible, we will offer an opportunity for young doctors to attend Japanese skull base training facilities.

Fukushima is a beautiful small city holds a great reputation for its spectacular nature and hot springs, and it hosts a variety of delicious dishes and the tasty sakes. Using a shinkansen-train, it will take only one hour and 35 minutes from Tokyo to Fukushima. Please join us for the exciting and fruitful scientific meetings and social events. I look forward to seeing you in Fukushima, Japan.

Kiyoshi Saito, MD, PhD
President of the 15th Asian-Oceanian International Congress on
Skull Base Surgery