Lab trainee looks through a microscope that is covered in plastic

Temporal Bone Course

This extensive five-day course is designed as a complete temporal bone dissection course for a resident or fellow in training or as an update for the practicing otolaryngologist.

Emphasis is on providing the physician with a conceptual understanding of the three-dimensional temporal bone anatomy with intensive hands-on dissection under faculty supervision for six hours daily, rather than observation of videotapes or live surgery.

Upon completion of the course, participants will have a better understanding of clinical decision making and improved basic temporal bone dissection skills. 

Dissection exercises include:

  • Canal wall down mastoidectomy
  • Facial nerve decompression
  • Facial recess dissection
  • Intact canal wall mastoidectomy
  • Meatoplasty
  • Middle cranial fossa and lateral approaches to the temporal bone
  • Ossicular reconstruction
  • Stapedectomy
  • Translabyrinthine approach to internal auditory canal
  • Transmastoid labyrinthectomy
  • Tympanoplasty

2026 Course Dates

Registration for the 2026 University of Michigan Temporal Bone Dissection Courses is now open. 

Course fees are $3,000 for practicing physicians, $2,600 for trainees (please use code REZ2026 when registering to get the discounted trainee price). Click on the date below to register.

Each date is limited to 14 physicians per course. Please review the cancellation and refund policy prior to registering.

Course fees are collected in full at the time of registration. 

Cancellation

  • Registration cancellations are only accepted in writing via email at [email protected].
  • Refunds, minus a $200 processing fee, will be processed only when cancellation notice is received at least 90 calendar days prior to the first day of the course.
  • There are no refunds for cancellations received fewer than 90 calendar days from the first day of the course.

Registration Transfer Policy

A registration can be transferred to another person. 

  • Transfers are accepted in writing via email at [email protected].
  • Transfer requests must include the name of the current registrant and the name and email address of the person the registration is being transferred to.
  • Request must be received at least 14 days prior to the first day of the course.  

Health & Safety Cancellation Policy

In-person trainings are conducted in accordance with the state's latest health and safety guidelines. If the course is unable to be held, it will be postponed or cancelled. Participants can choose to cancel the registration for a full refund or transfer it to another person.

Contact Us 

To request a cancellation or transfer, contact the Temporal Bone Course coordinator at [email protected]. 

Program Schedule

U-M faculty and prominent visiting professors contribute their expertise in the laboratory and through daily lectures. Lecture topics are listed below. Three additional lectures will be provided on other pertinent topics by the distinguished guest professor. We begin promptly at 8 am in the Temporal Bone Lab, Room 4643 in the Med Sci II Building.

Monday

  • 8 am - Welcome/Drilling Instruction and Topographic Anatomy
  • 9 am - Temporal Bone Dissection: Cortical Mastoidectomy, Canalplasty and Middle Ear
  • 12 pm - Lunch/Chronic Otitis Media and Mastoid Procedures
  • 1 pm - Temporal Bone Dissection: Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy, Facial Nerve Dissection and Endolymphatic Sac
  • 4 pm - Radiology of the Ear and Temporal Bone

Tuesday

  • 8 am - Tympanoplasty Techniques
  • 9 am - Temporal Bone Dissection: Intact Canal Wall Mastoidectomy, Facial Recess Approach and Transmastoid Labyrinthectomy
  • 12 pm - Lunch/Otosclerosis and Stapedectomy
  • 1 pm - Temporal Bone Dissection: Facial Nerve Decompression and Endolymphatic Sac
  • 4 pm - Cochlear Implant Basics

Wednesday

  • 8 am - Neurotologic Skull Base Surgery
  • 9 am - Temporal Bone Dissection: Translabyrinthine Approach to IAC, and ICW Mastoidectomy and Cochleostomy
  • 12 pm - Lunch/Surgical Treatment of Facial Nerve Disorders
  • 1 pm - Temporal Bone Dissection: Middle Cranial Fossa Approach, and Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube from Above
  • 5 pm - Lecture by Guest Faculty

Thursday

  • 7 am - Grand Rounds: Guest Faculty
  • 8 am - Temporal Bone Dissection: Tympanomeatal Flap, Middle Ear Exploration, Stapedectomy and Ossicular Chain Reconstruction
  • 12 pm - Lunch/Lecture by Guest Faculty
  • 1 pm - Elective Temporal Bone Dissection Activities
  • 4 pm - Temporal Bone Anatomy/Embryology; Common Clinical Pathology

Friday

  • 8 am - Vestibular Disorders & Medical Management
  • 9 am - Temporal Bone Dissection: Extended Facial Recess Approach, Lateral Temporal Bone Resection
  • 12 pm - Lunch/ Vestibular Surgery & Patient Disorders
  • 1 pm - Temporal Bone Dissection: Facial Nerve Mobilization, Approaches to Petrous Apex and Infratemporal Fossa Approach to Skull Base
  • 1:30 pm - Optional Vestibular Testing Lab Tour
  • 4 pm - Adjournment

Travel & Accommodations

Driving

The laboratory is located at 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.

Airport

  • The closest airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW).

Airport Transportation

Train

  • Amtrak Train station within walking distance of the laboratory.

Ann Arbor has many options for accommodations.

Campus Map

View a map of the University of Michigan campus for more information.

Contact Us
Abby Pollak
Course Coordinator

Faculty Instructors
Emily Stucken

Emily Stucken, MD
Clinical Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Michigan Balance Medical Director
Cochlear Implant/Hearing Rehab Medical Director
Medical School
labcoat

Meredith E Adams, MD, MS
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Medical School
Alexander Arts

H Alexander Arts, MD, FACS
Clinical Professor Emeritus of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Clinical Professor Emeritus of Surgery
Medical School
BANAKIS_HARTI_Renee4x5_0.jpg

Renee M Banakis Hartl, MD, AuD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Medical School
Jenna Devare

Jenna Devare, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Medical School
Hussam K. El-Kashlan

Hussam K El-Kashlan, MD, FACS
John L Kemink M.D.
Professor of Neurotology
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Otology and Neurotology Division Chief
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Associate Chair of Business and Finance
Medical School
profile-marc-thorne-2019

Marc C Thorne, MD, MPH, FACS
Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Pediatric Otolaryngology Division Chief
Pediatric Otolaryngology Service Chief
Pediatric Otolaryngology Ambulatory Care Unit Medical Director
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Associate Chair of Education and Quality
Medical School
Christopher Welch

Christopher Michael Welch, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Otology and Neurotology Fellowship Director
Otolaryngology Education Lead
Medical School