[On the international networking of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery].

In order to obtain a partial overview of the integration of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC) in worldwide networks, the frequencies of its annually announced contacts with international otorhinolaryngologic societies between 1976 and 2020 were collected based on the meetings listed in the journal HNO Informationen. Of the 534 international meetings, 388 took place within and 146 outside Europe. These contacts have increased significantly to date, even in very distant countries. Furthermore, honorary and corresponding members of the DGHNO-KHC were counted. Up until 2020 there were 210 honorary members, 53 living honorary members from European countries and 19 from non-European countries. Among the deceased honorary members (1951-2019), 125 were from Europe and 13 from non-European countries. Up until 2020, 140 living and 72 deceased corresponding members from 212 countries were counted, 143 from European and 69 from non-European countries. Several subject-related subspecialties and otorhinolaryngologic umbrella organizations, particularly Europe, are also addressed. The last section concerns international cooperations of the former German Democratic Republic from 1950 to 1989. Overall, a dense worldwide networking of the DGHNO-KHC has been present during the past five decades.