In March of 2002, a three-day workshop on advanced technology applications for head and neck reconstruction was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The conference was co-hosted by the Craniofacial Osseointegration and Maxillofacial Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit, Misericordia Hospital, Caritas Health Group/University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada and the Maxillofacial Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales, UK.

The initial intent was to hold a small meeting to discuss the potential for collaboration between professionals and potential industry partners to identify advanced technologies in head and neck reconstruction. Delegates participated from thirteen countries. At the conclusion of the meeting, findings of a questionnaire on future directions were discussed. The result was a unanimous decision to continue to a full international conference of broader scope.

The second AT meeting was held in Banff, Alberta Canada, March 10-13, 2005 with 225+ delegates, industry representatives and accompanying guests attending, representing 22 countries. This was a very successful meeting at a spectacular venue.

The third meeting is to be held in Cardiff, Wales, UK from June 29 to July 1, 2008. It is again being co-hosted by The Maxillofacial Unit, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK and the Craniofacial Osseointegration and Maxillofacial Prosthetic Rehabilitation Unit, Misericordia Hospital, Caritas Health Group/University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Cardiff’s rich culture has a diverse range of influences, from the Romans and Normans of antiquity to the industrial revolution which transformed Cardiff from a small town into a thriving, international city. Located on the banks of the River Taff, Cardiff is the capital and largest city of Wales. It’s a busy commercial, maritime and University City.

Cardiff’s docks and city centre are currently being regenerated into a thriving waterside development, and with the construction of the Millennium Stadium in the city centre, Cardiff has been transformed into a true European capital city

The scope of the conference is to identify and explore the future role of innovative digital technologies in reconstruction of the head and neck and will include:-

Image Acquisition, Rapid Prototyping, Computerized Planning Systems, Colour Measurement and Formulation, Navigation Systems, Robotic Systems, Assessment of Function, Virtual Reality, Patient Data Management and Endoscopic Surgery.

The conference program will be of interest to a wide range of professional disciplines and technology-driven industries related to head and neck reconstruction, including Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Anaplastology, Maxillofacial Technology, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology and Biomechanical Engineering

A range of industry partners will also attend the conference and participate in a trade display.

Confirmed speakers include Professor Bernard Devauchelle, Amiens, France, Professor Rolf Ewers, Vienna, Austria, Dr Stephen Golding, Oxford, England and Prof Hans-Florian Zeilhofer, Basel, Switzerland.

The conference website is now online at http://www.res-inc.com/at_2008 and further information, including registration details, is available there.

We hope you take the opportunity to look at the website and we look forward to welcoming you to Wales in June 2008

Alan P Bocca MSc FIMPT
Consultant in Maxillofacial Prosthetics