In cooperation with the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery of the University Clinical Center Tuzla (the UKC Tuzla) and the ENT School Tuzla Association, a professional workshop entitled “Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)” was successfully held at the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery.
The guest lecturer and lead educator was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faris Brkić, an otolaryngology specialist from AKH Vienna, whose extensive clinical and academic experience significantly contributed to the high quality of the educational program. As part of the practical segment of the workshop, three functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures were performed in collaboration with specialists from the Clinic, enabling direct intraoperative knowledge transfer and the application of contemporary surgical techniques.
In addition to the surgical component, professional educational lectures were delivered by physicians from the UKC Tuzla. The lectures addressed modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis, indications and contraindications for endoscopic sinus surgery, as well as postoperative patient care and follow- up.
It is particularly important to emphasize that the Clinic for Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery of the University Clinical Center Tuzla has been continuously performing Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) procedures for the past 23 years and was the first clinic in Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce this modern surgical technique into clinical practice. The FESS program at the Clinic began in May 2002, when Prof. Dr. Livije Kalogjera and Prof. Dr. Tomislav Baudoin from the ENT Clinic “Sestre milosrdnice” in Zagreb demonstrated rhinosinus surgery using the FESS technique, thereby officially marking the introduction of functional endoscopic sinus surgery at the ENT Clinic of UKC Tuzla.
A further significant advancement in the development of modern ENT surgery was achieved in September 2025, when the Clinic introduced FESS procedures supported by a navigation system (NESS). This technological upgrade represents a major improvement in surgical precision, safety, and overall quality of treatment, particularly in complex cases and revision surgeries.
This type of professional education holds exceptional clinical and educational value, as it enables direct transfer of knowledge and experience from leading European medical centers, enhances surgical skills through hands- on practice, facilitates the adoption of contemporary treatment standards in ENT practice, and strengthens professional cooperation and exchange of expertise between domestic and international specialists.
On this occasion, the Head of the Clinic, Assoc.Prof. Dr.Majda Mujić, Specialist in Otolaryngology, expressed her sincere gratitude to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Faris Brkić for his visit, dedication, and generous sharing of expertise, as well as to the Director of the University Clinical Center Tuzla, Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, for his continuous support of the development of modern ENT surgery and the ongoing professional education of physicians.
