Mangaluru (Deralakatte): The Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology (ZYIO), supported by Tata Trusts, in association with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, UK, successfully hosted the two-day international symposium and hands-on workshop, Recon-Rehab 2026, on October 30 and 31 at Yenepoya Medical College and Yenepoya Dental College.
The symposium brought together renowned international and national experts in head and neck oncology, reconstructive surgery and maxillofacial prosthetics to promote comprehensive rehabilitation following cancer treatment and traumatic injuries.
The inaugural ceremony was held at the EMD Building Auditorium, Yenepoya Medical College Hospital. Dr. B. H. Sripathi Rao, Former Pro Vice Chancellor of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), inaugurated the event. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. K. S. Gangadhara Somayaji, Vice Chancellor, while Organizing Chairman Dr. M. Vijayakumar, Pro Chancellor of Yenepoya and Director & CEO of ZYIO, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in advancing cancer care and rehabilitation. Dr. Prakash Robert M. Saldanha, Dean, Yenepoya Medical College, and Dr. Laxmikanth Chatra, Principal, Yenepoya Dental College, were the Guests of Honour.
A major highlight was the advanced cadaveric surgical masterclass featuring demonstrations of microvascular free-flap techniques. Dr Sat Parmar and Dr Prav Praveen from UK did the demonstrations. Dr Subramanya Iyer, a globally renowned reconstructive surgeon also demonstrated his techniques and discussed how to rehabilitate these patients back into the society.
The maxillofacial prosthetics workshop, led by UK experts Stefan Edmondson and Kelly Hood of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, focused on custom silicone ear prosthesis fabrication. The sessions provided valuable hands-on academic exposure to contemporary reconstructive procedures.
A particularly memorable moment was the delivery of a custom-fabricated silicone ear to a young boy with congenital ear absence. The successful rehabilitation highlighted the transformative role of maxillofacial prosthetics in restoring facial appearance, confidence and quality of life.
Recon-Rehab 2026 marked an important step towards strengthening international academic collaboration and advancing integrated surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation services in the region. The symposium reaffirmed Yenepoya University commitment to bringing global expertise, innovative techniques and compassionate patient-centred care to Coastal Karnataka.
The programme was coordinated by Organizing Secretaries Dr. Rohan Thomas, Dr. Prav Praveen and Dr. Karkala Sayed Suhaim, with the active support of the organizing teams at Yenepoya and ZYIO.