Mangaluru to Host SEOCON 2026, International ENT Conference
Mangaluru: The Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangaluru, and K S Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Mangaluru, are jointly organising SEOCON 2026, Mangaluru, the 4th International Conference of the Society of Endoscopic Otorhinolaryngologists (SEO), from August 20 to 23, 2026, at The Avatar Hotel & Convention Centre, Mangaluru.
The Society of Endoscopic Otorhinolaryngologists (SEO) is a working group governed, managed and operated by ETHENTS. It is committed to promoting the advancement of endoscopic otorhinolaryngology through continuous innovation, collaboration, research and the development of new surgical tools, instruments and techniques. The society aims to support otorhinolaryngologists worldwide in enhancing surgical practices and improving patient outcomes.
Dr Mubarak Khan, a senior and eminent ENT surgeon from Talegaon, Pune, is the Founder-President of the association. Under his leadership, the society has gained greater recognition and reached new heights, including on international platforms.
The theme of the conference, “Endoscope to Microscope, ENT-HNS, Innovation & Beyond,” embodies a collective vision for a future where academic excellence, research innovation and clinical expertise converge to improve patient care and advance the specialty.
Dr Deviprasad D, Professor and Head of the Department of ENT, KMC Mangaluru, is the Organising President, while Dr Vadisha Bhat, Professor and Head of the Department of ENT, KSHEMA Mangaluru, is the Organising Secretary. The conference is being conducted with the guidance and support of the managements, Dean of KMC Mangaluru Dr Unnikrishnan B and Dean of KSHEMA Dr Sandeep Rai, along with the faculty members and postgraduate students of the respective departments.
The distinguished Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony will be Dr Milind V Kirthane, an eminent ENT and cochlear implant surgeon from Mumbai and a recipient of the Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy Award.
Dr Kirthane has successfully performed more than 3,000 cochlear implant surgeries and has established more than 70 cochlear implant centres across India, contributing significantly to the training of ENT surgeons in the field.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for August 21, 2026, from 7 p.m. onwards at The Avatar Hotel & Convention Centre, Mangaluru.
The conference is expected to attract around 400 delegates from across India and abroad. More than 100 prominent national and international guest speakers will address the delegates through live surgical demonstrations, orations, panel discussions and hands-on cadaveric dissection sessions.
The scientific programme will cover various subspecialties of ENT, including Otology, Endoscopic Ear Surgery, Neuro-Otology, Implant Otology, Skull Base Surgery, Allergy and Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery, among others.
The conference will also feature sessions on innovations, simulation devices and artificial intelligence in ENT. It will provide a platform for delegates to exchange knowledge, showcase successful projects and foster collaborations that can contribute to the advancement and innovation of the specialty. Participants will also have an opportunity to interact with experts and discuss challenges encountered in their day-to-day clinical practice.
The organisers believe that the conference will ultimately contribute to better patient care by equipping ENT specialists with the latest knowledge, techniques and innovations in the field.
In addition to the scientific programme, delegates will have an opportunity to experience the local cuisine, attractions, culture and heritage of Tulunadu. The conference is therefore expected to offer an immersive blend of scientific learning and cultural experiences, allowing participants to return with enriching knowledge and cherished memories of Namma Mangaluru.