Emilie Dronkers, Consultant Laryngologist, Leiden University Medical Centre, the Netherlands
Missed ELS 2025 in Warsaw? Oh, the Laryngological FOMO!
Alright, fellow ENT enthusiasts, if you weren’t hobnobbing in Warsaw from May 8-10, 2025, at the ELS Congress, let me tell you, your laryngeal knowledge might just have a little… gap. And not the kind you can fill with a quick scope! This was a truly global affair, with over 600 participants from 60 countries worldwide, including attendees from Bangladesh, the US, Australia, Colombia, Latvia, South Africa, and beyond.
You missed the launch of Young ELS (above), a fantastic new initiative by and for laryngologists under 40. (Follow them on Instagram @youngeuropeanlaryngologists). The Basic Track, spearheaded by Young ELS President Juliet Schuering, was a revelation. Top minds, including Guri Sandhu, Kate Heathcote and Michal Zabrodsky, delivered brilliant, concise presentations on foundational laryngology.
The atmosphere? Incredibly welcoming. Imagine grabbing a coffee and suddenly being deep in conversation with Rebecca Howell about improving post-radiotherapy swallowing – it’s not as hopeless as you might think! Or, finding yourself next to Kishore Sandu at lunch, dissecting his brilliant keynote on airway stenting. During many round table sessions insights flowed freely, and the honesty about complications was refreshing.
The first day was a standout, with a dedicated symposium on larynx cancer, masterfully led by Cesare Piazza. This session, covering radiological, pathological, anatomical and surgical perspectives, lifted the veil on the anterior commissure – no longer a black box!
We also celebrated some incredible achievements. The Oskar Kleinsasser Award – Storz Prize went to Prof Giorgio Peretti for his lifelong contributions. Dr Sara Bassani received the Lichtenberger Prize for her work on limited neck dissection. Dr Mónica Teixeira earned the Neurolaryngology Award by MED-EL for her research on early predictors for medialization thyroplasty, and Prof Marina Mat Baki was honored with the Dysphonia International Prize for her work on the VOIS Implant.
Our charming president, Malgorzata Wierzbicka (above), was everywhere, the perfect host. It's truly impressive she managed eight presentations while orchestrating such a flawless event! After all her hard work, she's now passed the torch to Gauthier Desuter (below right).
ELS 2025 was truly brilliant: the collegial atmosphere, informal networking, high-quality presentations and candid discussions. Your reporter even overheard discussions about new research ideas, including a consensus study on a core outcome set for Laryngeal Dystonia and upcoming papers on the financial impact of office-based procedures.
We’re already looking forward to ELS 2027 in Antwerp, Belgium. For further deatils see:
https://els2027.org
So, if you weren't in Warsaw, make sure you don't miss the next one!
