This special issue of The Journal of Laryngology and Otology is dedicated to Professor Shizuo Komune in the commemoration of his retirement from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Professor Komune was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki in 1949. After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University in 1975, he started his career as an otorhinolaryngologist at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kyushu University. From 1977, he was invited to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Miyazaki University School of Medicine and under the supervision of Professor Tamotsu Morimitsu; he began his training as an otologic surgeon and a neurophysiologist. From 1979 to 1982, he had an opportunity to study at the Department of Otorhinolaryngolory, University of Pennsylvania with Professor James B. Snow. After returning to Japan, Dr Komune served at the Kyushu University as a Lecturer (1990–1993) and an Associate Professor (1993–1996).
In 1997, Dr Komune was appointed to Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Miyazaki University School of Medicine. In Miyazaki, he has trained 16 otolaryngologists.
In 2004, he was appointed to Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University. Otolaryngologists have joined his Department and become a specialist following his mentorship.
His main research interest is neurophysiology of the inner ear, including mechanisms of production of endocochlear potentials and in vitro/in vivo models of inner ear research. From a clinical point of view, Dr Komune has dedicated in middle ear/temporal bone and skull base surgery.
With great pleasure, we publish this supplement issue in commemoration of the retirement of Professor Shizuo Komune. This issue includes papers covering a wide variety of scientific fields (basic and clinical) in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. We intend that these papers contribute to the progress of this field.
