European Sleep
Surgery Academy

European Sleep Surgery Academy

Join us with high class conferences, attend practical surgery exercises, workshops and proctored dissection room trainings.

  • Contemporary Sleep Diagnostics
  • Palatopharyngeal Surgery Techniques
  • and much more
Pre-register here
Apply for ESSA AI Award
Coming Soon

4th European Sleep Surgery Academy Course

NEW: Interdisciplinary Course for sleep related ENT and dental surgeons

Oct 7th - 9th 2027

CHARITÉ BERLIN

Germany

THE ESSA AMBITION

The European Sleep Surgery Academy (ESSA) was originally founded by international recognized European sleep physicians with an extraordinary expertise in sleep surgery to provide innovative therapeutical solutions for ENT surgeons within Europe.

The field of surgical treatments of sleep-disordered breathing is emerging with a lot of ground-breaking innovation which will be focused in the Europe-wide events: the scope is covering the screening of proper candidates for specific non-CPAP treatments and the attempt to provide an insight in the current state of affairs on surgical treatment of snoring and OSA.

The rapid advancements in both ENT and dental surgical procedures, particularly driven by the steadily increasing use of Al, necessitate a greater focus on interdisciplinary treatment approaches in the future. The European Sleep Surgery Academy intends to actively promote
this increased interdisciplinarity through a new, modified interdisciplinary ESSA Course to be held in Berlin in 2027.

ESSA is provided by Convento Med event management.

JOIN 4th ESSA 2027

INVITATION TO OUR ESTEEMED COLLEAGUES

Dear Colleagues,

As the Chair of the Scientific Board and together with Prof. Dr. Thomas Penzel, scientific head of the Interdisciplinary Sleep Medicine Center at the Charité in Berlin, our host, and all faculty colleagues, it’s our great honour and pleasure to invite you to participate at the 4th European Sleep Surgery Academy (ESSA) in Berlin, Germany, October 7th – 9 th, 2027.

4th ESSA represents an important milestone in advancing European and international collaboration in the field of ENT, sleep surgery and dental sleep medicine. During the course a distinguished faculty of global leaders will share their expertise, scientific insights, and innovative approaches that are shaping the future of sleep-related healthcare and the multidisciplinary care for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

4th ESSA will convene more than 200 world-class specialists – including ENT surgeons, dentists, maxillofacial surgeons, bioengineers, researchers, and Al developers – for an intensive three-day program dedicated to the latest advancements in sleep surgery.

As participant, you will gain direct access to an international network of key opinion leaders and decision-makers. Our interdisciplinary keynote lectures, panel discussions, and exclusive hands-on training sessions provide the perfect environment to learn about the contemporary and future technologies and to practice “hands-on” specific surgery procedures.

Berlin, a city renowned for its scientific excellence, creativity, and cultural diversity, provides the ideal setting for meaningful exchange, inspiring discussions, and lasting professional connections. 4th ESSA will offer a unique platform to learn about Al advancement of ENT, sleep surgery and dental sleep medicine.

Therefore, we cordially invite you to join 4th ESSA and look forward to welcoming you personally in Berlin – and to shaping together the future and to be a part of a conference experience that reflects scientific excellence and interdisciplinary progress.

Catch the spirit – join 4th ESSA in Berlin!

With warm regards,

CONGRESS PRESIDENT
Prof. Dr. Olivier Vanderveken

MD PhD- Head of Dep. ENT-HNS,
University of Antwerp

HOST PRESIDENT
Prof. Dr. Thomas Penzel

Scientific Head of Interdisciplinary
Sleep Medicine Center, Charité

Scientific Agenda

Dear colleagues,

4th ESSA 2027 is designed to unite cutting-edge science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-level industry exchange. Over three days in Berlin, ESSA participants will experience mixed & specialty-focused educаtion, Al-driven innovation, global networking, and curated exhibitions within a dynamic international setting.

A major focus of the congress will be current and emerging Artificial Intelligence applications in sleep surgery, ENT, maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and dental medicine. International experts and innovators will discuss how Al technologies are transforming diagnostics, surgical planning, clinical workflows, and patient-centered care.

The congress will also feature the ESSA Al Innovation Competition, showcasing pioneering interdisciplinary concepts and breakthrough technologies. Finalists will present their work during the scientific program, culminating in an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening honoring the field’s most impactful innovations.

4th ESSA 2027 - Brief Overview

DAY

SCIENTIFIC TOPICS

NETWORKING

Thursday

Oct 7th

ENT and OMS/Dentists’: mixed and separate keynotes
Al Industry Session (mixed)

Welcome
Get together

Friday

Oct 8th

ENT and OMS/Dentists’: mixed and separate keynotes
Al Separate Industry Session: mixed and separate
Al Topic Podium discussion (all)

GALA DINNER
ESSA Al Innovation
Award Ceremony

Saturday

Oct 9th

Hands-on-training/Workshops (separate)
Consensus Workshop (mixed)
BERLIN PAPERS: Consensus Session

Get together
Closing Ceremony

Please notice: Detailed program available soon!

Your Conference Location

The Langenbeck-Virchow House

Dear colleagues,

4th ESSA 2027 is designed to unite cutting-edge science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and high-level industry exchange. Over three days in Berlin, ESSA participants will experience mixed & specialty-focused educаtion, Al-driven innovation, global networking, and curated exhibitions within a dynamic international setting.

A major focus of the congress will be current and emerging Artificial Intelligence applications in sleep surgery, ENT, maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, and dental medicine. International experts and innovators will discuss how Al technologies are transforming diagnostics, surgical planning, clinical workflows, and patient-centered care.

The congress will also feature the ESSA Al Innovation Competition, showcasing pioneering interdisciplinary concepts and breakthrough technologies. Finalists will present their work during the scientific program, culminating in an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening honoring the field’s most impactful innovations.

OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

4th ESSA-Course

Oct 7th-9th 2027
at the CHARITÉ BERLIN, Germany

Interdisciplinary Course for sleep related ENT and dental surgeons

Pre-register here
Program coming soon
Apply for ESSA AI Award
Coming Soon

3rd ESSA-Course

28th – 30th August 2025
at the University of Bern/Switzerland

Participate at our event
Program

2nd ESSA-Course

Oct 17th – 19th 2024
at the Universidad de Valencia

Participate at our event
Program

1st ESSA-Course

June 8th – 10th 2023
at the University of Antwerp, Belgium

Program

About Berlin

Berlin is a vibrant city where history meets innovation. From iconic landmarks to creative spaces, it offers the perfect backdrop for unforgettable events.

Brandenburg Gate

Berlin TV Tower

Charité

Gendarmenmarkt

Faculty

Prof. Dr. Olivier M. Vanderveken, MD, PhD​

Prof. Dr. Clemens Heiser

Prof. Dr. Clemens Heiser, MD, PhD​

Prof. Dr. med. Joachim T. Maurer, MD

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Sommer

Prof. Dr. J. Ulrich Sommer, MD

Prof. Dr. Nico de Vries

Prof. Dr. Nico de Vries, MD, PhD

THE ESSA EXPERIENCES & LEARNINGS

The ESSA courses are designed to provide a state-of-the-art program that always offers a comprehensive overview of both, standard and innovative surgical techniques, led and conducted by high-class specialists, the hands-on sessions are trained by absolute experts in this area. The technical equipment and the learning environment guarantee best conditions for learning exchange and collegial interactions. The following pictures show the interior of SITEM, Bern, CH, the event venue of 3rd ESSA in 2025 as an example.

Dissection room

Course room

Hands-on-Training

Impressions
View more impressions

register now and receive all early information

Reserve your seat on the participants list. Benefit from the early bird fees!

A pre-registration does not obligate you to participate. It allows you to benefit from the discounted early bird fees, being published along with the final program. You may then decide on your final participation. All pre-registered participants will receive separate information in time.

1.400 CHF p.P. plus VAT

Participation Fee
including dissection training

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • dissection training
  • Surgical trainings

850 CHF p.P. plus VAT

Regular Participation Fee
without dissection training

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • Surgical trainings

450 CHF p.P. plus VAT

Students and fellows
without dissection training

  • lectures
  • workshops
  • Surgical trainings

Prof. Dr. Olivier M. Vanderveken, MD, PhD​

Prof. Dr. Olivier M. Vanderveken, MD, PhD, is a full-time ENT,Head and Neck Surgeon at the Antwerp University Hospital where he is appointed as the Chair of the Department. He holds a position as Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Antwerp. 

His main research projects are in the area of sleep-disordered breathing. His research is focusing in particular on pathophysiological assessment of upper airway collapse including phenotyping, drug-induced sleep endoscopy, treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway surgery including hypoglossal nerve stimulation and transoral robotic surgery. In the past, he has been awarded several national and international scientific awards. 

Olivier Vanderveken holds a Senior Clinical Investigator Fellowship at the
Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).

Prof. Dr. Clemens Heiser

Prof. Dr. Clemens Heiser, MD, PhD​

Clemens Heiser is an ENT, Head and Neck surgeon at the Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, where he is also leading the sleep laboratory.

He was one of the early adaptors of hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the clinical routine. Further research projects are in the area of sleep-disordered breathing – especially the development of diagnostic and
therapeutic tools. Clemens Heiser has been awarded in the past for several national and international scientific awards.

He is one the key opinion leaders in the field of neurostimulation in the upper airway. Further interests are the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea.

Prof. Dr. med. Joachim T. Maurer, MD​

Prof. Dr Joachim T. Maurer MD is an internationally recognized expert for the treatment of sleep disorders, in particular obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. He is Director of the Division of Sleep Medicine at the University Hospital in Mannheim, University of Heidelberg. Dr. Maurer is a primary investigator in several clinical trials for all available Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Systems since 2009 as well as other innovative treatments. He has authored numerous original research articles, review articles, and book chapters on OSA and snoring. He regularly appraises sleep disorders centers, is examiner for applicants in sleep disorders specialisation, and course director “Diagnosis and treatment of sleep disordered breathing” and “Surgery for sleep disordered breathing”. For twelve years he supports and launches an ENT-Department with residents’ training in the District Hospital of Ruli, Rwanda.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Sommer

Prof. Dr. J. Ulrich Sommer, MD​

Prof. Dr. J. Ulrich Sommer, MD, is a full-time ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon at the Technical University Munich and the ENT-Center Mangfall-Inn. Furthermore, he holds a position as Professor at the University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine in Mannheim.

Prof. Dr. Sommer graduated from University of Heidelberg in 2008. He received his doctoral degree in 2010 and was appointed tosenior lecturer in 2013. He gained his professorship in 2016 and lead the ENT-Department of the University Hospital Wuppertal beginning in 2018. Since 2020 he is working at the Technical University in Munich to continue his research and is furthermore working at the ENT-Center Mangfall-Inn. His research focus lies on sleep medicine in general and in hypoglossal nerve stimulation and soft palate surgery in particular. His activities lead to over 150 publications in peer reviewed journals, guidelines and books.

Prof. Dr. Nico de Vries

Prof. Dr. Nico de Vries, MD, PhD​

Nico de Vries is ENT specialist at OLVG West Hospital Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His special interest is diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults, in particular alternatives to CPAP. 

Research topics include Drug Induced Sleep Endoscopy, Implants, OSA surgery, Positional Therapy, Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation, Combined Treatments, OSA and bariatric surgery, OSA and Anesthesia, OSA and
biomarkers. Since 2014 he is guest professor at the University of Antwerp, Belgium and since 2016, professor of Dental Sleep Medicine, dept oral kinesiology, ACTA, Amsterdam.

According to Research Gate, his H-index is 47. He has > 300 publications in international and national peer reviewed journals, > 70 book chapters and > 300 presentations.

MORE IMPRESSIONS OF OUR LAST EVENT

1. ESSA