I have just arrived in Zürich for the 32nd Practical Course in Microsurgery of the Skull Base.
just off the train in Zürich, before the course begins
Even after many years in medicine, there is always more to learn.
The skull base is a small and complex area. Hearing, balance, the facial nerve, and many other important structures sit very close together. There is little room for error, and no substitute for understanding the anatomy carefully.
Over the next four days, I will be practicing different surgical approaches in the anatomy lab, studying procedures in three dimensions, and learning from ENT surgeons and neurosurgeons from around the world.
Courses like this are demanding, but they are also a privilege.
When a family trusts us with their child, they may not see the hours spent studying, practicing, discussing difficult cases, and learning from colleagues.
I am grateful to be here, and I hope to return home with steadier hands, clearer thinking, and new lessons to share with my team.
Educational writing, not a substitute for medical advice.