Dr Johann D. Kluge

31/08/2026

The best teams become more than just colleagues.

We spend so much time together in theatre — through long days, challenging cases, good days and difficult ones. Along the way, you get to know each other deeply: the personalities, the strengths, the quirks, the unspoken communication that develops over years of working side by side.

Like any family, we have our ups and downs. But there is also trust, loyalty, laughter and the knowledge that you can rely on each other when it matters most.

For many of us, this team becomes our family away from home.

And I’m incredibly grateful for this one.

29/08/2026

Being a surgeon is an incredible privilege, but it is also a demanding journey — one that I could not walk without my faith and my family.

My Christianity gives me the strength, perspective and humility to face the responsibility of caring for people when they are at their most vulnerable. It reminds me that behind every diagnosis, scan and operation is a person, a family and a story — and that I am ultimately entrusted with something far greater than simply performing a procedure, also reminding myself we all are patients.

And then there is my family. Their love, patience, encouragement and unwavering support make it possible for me to do what I do. They carry so much of the load behind the scenes, especially on the long days, the difficult cases and the times when surgery demands more of me than I have left to give.

I am incredibly grateful for both.

My faith keeps me grounded.
My family keeps me going.
And together, they allow me to pursue this calling with gratitude, purpose and humility.

29/08/2026

That’s a wrap on the IFHNOS World Congress 2026 in Brisbane.

Looking back on the past few days, I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of a congress that brought together colleagues from around the world to share experiences, challenge ideas and discuss where head and neck cancer care is heading.

So much is changing. We heard about immunotherapy being used earlier in treatment, including before surgery in selected patients; ways of safely reducing treatment intensity in carefully selected cancers; and advances in HPV-related disease, thyroid cancer, sinonasal tumours, oral cancer and precancerous lesions, and skin cancers.

There were also fascinating discussions around minimally invasive and laser surgery, reconstruction and dental rehabilitation.

For me, one of the most important messages was that progress is not simply about treating the cancer. It is also about understanding the individual patient and, wherever possible, preserving speech, swallowing, appearance and quality of life. Increasingly, surgery, radiation, systemic therapy and immunotherapy are being considered together to find the best treatment for each individual.

It has been a privilege to listen to, learn from and exchange ideas with colleagues from so many different countries. I return home with new knowledge, new perspectives

A special thank you to Professor Sandro Porceddu and the entire organising team for an outstanding congress and for bringing the international head and neck community together in Brisbane.

What a few days. Great Congress IFHNOS 2026.

28/08/2026

What an honour to be part of the IFHNOS Council.

A memorable meeting of the IFHNOS Council at the 2026 IFHNOS World Congress in Brisbane, Australia, bringing together colleagues and friends from around the world with a shared commitment to advancing head and neck cancer care.

The meeting also marked an important transition in IFHNOS leadership. Professor Ehab Hanna was elected as the new Director, succeeding Professor Pankaj Chaturvedi, who now takes on the role of Chair of the IFHNOS Council. Professor Ian Ganly was elected as Treasurer, succeeding Professor Sandro V. Porceddu.

Congratulations to Toronto, which will host the 2030 IFHNOS World Congress, and to Japan, announced in Brisbane as the successful host of the 2034 IFHNOS World Congress.

I feel very privileged to represent South Africa and to contribute, in a small way, to this truly international collaboration. Most importantly, it is wonderful to share ideas, learn from one another and build friendships with colleagues from across the world, all working towards the same goal — better outcomes for our patients.

GlobalCollaboration Brisbane2026 SouthAfrica SAHNOS

27/08/2026

What a privilege to chair a session at the IFHNOS World Congress 2026 in Brisbane, together with plastic and reconstructive surgeon . Our session, “Mandibular Reconstructions in the Developing World: From Osteo-pedicled Flaps to Jaw in a Day & Laryngeal Cancer Treatment,” provided an engaging and interactive discussion around complex head and neck reconstruction and cancer management. A huge thank you to Dr Alberto Notti for pedicled osteo-muscular flap in mandibular reconstruction, Dr Gabriel Damiano for free flaps in maxillo-mandibular reconstruction – Jaw in a Day, Dr Pedro Picco and Dr Sebastian Menvielle for their clinical cases, and Dr Santiago Zund for his insights into surgical vs non-surgical organ preservation protocols for advanced laryngeal cancer. The clinical case discussions particularly highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary decision-making and individualised, patient-centred treatment, recognising that every patient and every complex head and neck cancer journey is unique. It was a real privilege to share the session with such inspiring colleagues, exchange ideas and perspectives, and be part of this outstanding international congress. What a privilege! 🙏🏼

27/08/2026

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25/08/2026

Hello, Brisbane!

Proud to be attending IFHNOS — an international network representing more than 70 member societies across 58 countries.

This promises to be a truly engaging international Head & Neck Cancer Conference, bringing together experts and colleagues from around the world.

21/08/2026

So that’s a wrap on the week!

Long hours in theatre, high spirits, and plenty of pushing through!

Grateful for a busy week and an incredible team that keeps showing up and getting it done.


KeepPushing

13/08/2026

13/08/2026