The Lausanne Airway Course 2027

About the Course

Conference Theme

"The Complex Airway: Challenges, Uncertainty and Strategies for Solutions"

The Lausanne Airway Course 2027 (LAC 2027) is an international, multidisciplinary course bringing together specialists involved in airway management in both adults and children. Designed as a collaborative platform, it targets airway surgeons (otorhinolaryngologists, pediatric, thoracic and general surgeons), anesthetists, intensivists, as well as nurses and allied healthcare professionals.

The programme emphasizes a strong airway team approach, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of complex airway conditions. Participants will address a wide range of clinical situations, including congenital airway malformations, laryngotracheal stenosis, intubation injuries, and complex aero-digestive disorders.

LAC 2027 combines high-level scientific content with extensive practical training. The course integrates didactic lectures, live or recorded endoscopy sessions, and multiple hands-on workshops tailored to surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses.

When

24–25 May 2027
Main conference

Workshops

26 May 2027
Hands-on sessions

Venue

Auditoire Paternot, Agora
Fondation ISREC – CHUV, Lausanne

Language

English

Course Directors

Prof. Kishore Sandu

Head – Airway Sector
Dept. of Otolaryngology

Prof. Patrick Schoettker

Head, Department
of Anesthesiology

and their teams — Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Switzerland

Highlights & Course Format

Key Highlights

Core Principles to Achieve Success (CPAS) in Complex Airway Management

Open and Endoscopic Airway Interventions using Near-Realistic Simulation Models

Immersive Anesthesia Skills Training using High-Fidelity Simulation

Course Format

Didactic lectures

Endoscopy sessions (live / recorded)

Hands-on workshops for Surgeons & Anesthesiologists

Hands-on workshops for Nurses (surgery & anesthesia)

A common platform (paediatric and adults) for the airway surgeon — otorhinolaryngologists, paediatric surgeons, thoracic surgeons, general surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensivists and nurses.

Workshops – 26 May 2027

The workshop day takes place on 26 May 2027 at the Institute d'Anatomie OR COP, CHUV (Rue du Bugnon 9, 1005 Lausanne). Places are limited — early registration is strongly recommended.

26 May · All day

Open Airway Surgery Workshop

Participants will practice open airway operations including laryngotracheal reconstruction, cricotracheal resection (CTR), extended CTR and slide tracheoplasty on a well-established animal model. Experts will perform these operations and then guide participants through every step of the interventions.

26 May · All day

Airway Endoscopy Workshop

A systematic airway endoscopy is the basis of pre-operative assessment and post-operative management of a compromised airway. Participants will practise rigid and flexible bronchoscopies, foreign body retrieval, insertion of airway stents and management of haemoptysis/airway bleeding.

26 May · Morning

Anesthesia Airway Workshop

With internationally acknowledged paediatric and adult airway experts, participants will train on ultra-realistic high-fidelity simulators, mannequins or animal tracheas. Workshops range from basic airway management tips through hands-on ventilation and oxygenation situations up to FONA (front-of-neck approaches). A dedicated discussion on airway recommendations, guidelines and the position of international anesthesia/airway societies will be included.

Nurses & Auxiliary Staff: Up to two members (N/AS) per team can attend the course and the hands-on workshop free of cost, provided the attending doctor is registered in the early bird period.

Registration & Accommodation

Early bird deadline: 31 December 2026. All prices in Swiss Francs (CHF). Registration fees include interval coffee-snacks & lunch. Online registration via lac2027.exordo.com

A) Main Conference – 24 & 25 May 2027 (all day)

Early bird (until 31.12.2026)	CHF 800.–
Standard price — from 01.01.2027 / on-site registration	CHF 1'000.–

B) Workshops – 26 May 2027 (limited participants)

Anesthesia Workshop (Morning)
Early bird (until 31.12.2026)	CHF 150.–
Standard price — from 01.01.2027 / on-site	CHF 200.–
Open Airway Surgery Workshop (All day)
Early bird (until 31.12.2026)	CHF 350.–
Standard price & on-site registration	CHF 400.–
Airway Endoscopy Workshop (All day)
Early bird (until 31.12.2026)	CHF 250.–
Standard price & on-site registration	CHF 300.–

C) Gala & Networking Dinner — Royal Savoy Hotel & Spa, Lausanne (24 May 2027) CHF 185.– / person

On the evening of the first day, the airway course offers us all to get-together for an unforgettable evening at the historic Royal Savoy Hotel, one of Lausanne's most prestigious five-star landmarks, where timeless elegance meets contemporary luxury. Nestled between the city centre and the shores of Lake Geneva, the hotel has welcomed distinguished guests for over a century.

The evening will feature a refined dinner created by a Michelin-starred chef, showcasing seasonal cuisine inspired by the finest local ingredients.

We will begin with an apéritif on the spectacular Sky Rooftop, offering breathtaking panoramic views over Lausanne, Lake Geneva and the Alps — the perfect setting to celebrate together as the sun sets over the city.

Nurses & Auxiliary Staff (free attendance): Up to two members (N/AS) per team may attend the course and hands-on workshop at no cost, provided their accompanying doctor registers in the early bird period.