Jiří Skřivan has been an inspiring presence in the ORL community in his native Prague for more than thirty years. An otologist and one of the pioneers of cochlear implant surgery in Central and Eastern Europe, Jiří is leading the team preparing the 18th ESPO (European Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology) Congress, which will take place in Prague from 17–20 April 2027. He met with our former editor Ray Clarke to discuss his plans.
Jiří Skřivan.
Before I could ask him about his own career, Jiří began by explaining why Prague is such an exciting conference venue. He is clearly delighted that his home city is finally hosting ESPO – and with good reason. The historic centre of Bohemia offers a rich tapestry of art, literature, music and science, all beautifully situated on the Vltava River. Prague is truly the heart of Europe, reflected in the congress theme: ‘Prague as a unifying city.’
In addition to a strong European presence, Jiří is proud of the large number of speakers and delegates from outside Europe who have already committed to attending, with leading figures in the ORL world coming from the USA, Canada, South and Central Asia and Australia. The Prague team is especially pleased to welcome a sizeable group of guests from China and Japan, illustrating the growing appeal of ESPO as the premier global forum for advances in paediatric ORL.
As for Jiří’s own journey into ENT, he graduated from the prestigious Charles University in Prague and has spent most of his professional life working in the city. He developed an early interest in otology, particularly neurotology and skull base surgery. He was part of a multidisciplinary team pioneering the surgery of temporal bone tumours, as well as cochlear and auditory brainstem implantation in the Czech Republic. In 1996, he moved with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery to Motol Hospital, the largest medical facility in the country. Appointed Head of Paediatric ORL at Motol and the University in 2014, he is now emeritus head, serving as a mentor and support to many younger colleagues whose careers he helped shape. His long-standing interest in cochlear implantation and ear surgery will be strongly reflected in the ESPO programme.
Prague - the heart of Europe.
Jiří described the congress venue – the Prague Congress Centre – as superb, and having visited, I can confirm this. It is perfectly situated between the main conference hotels, offering beautiful views across the city, including the spectacular Prague Castle. Jiří is planning five parallel subject streams, as in previous ESPO congresses, giving delegates a wide choice across paediatric ENT topics: otology, auditory implants, airway, rhinology, head and neck and general paediatric ORL. His team has enlisted the support of Young ESPO, recognising that paediatric ORL is a rapidly expanding specialty and an area of growing interest for residents. The programme will offer mentorship sessions, discussions and advice on well-being, sustainability, the challenges of AI, and building a career in a world of rapidly expanding global connectivity.
One of the highlights will undoubtedly be a keynote lecture by Andre Král. Král’s laboratory focuses on the consequences of lost sensory functions on information processing in the brain. As postnatal brain development depends on experience, the most profound effects of sensory deprivation occur when it begins in childhood. The lab investigates how congenital auditory deprivation (deafness) affects neuronal networks in the auditory system. The team concentrates on the bioengineering aspects of neuroprosthetic devices – methods of artificial stimulation of the nervous system. So far, the cochlear implant has been the most clinically successful neuroprosthetic device.
Jiří was also eager to share some of the social highlights that ESPO Prague will offer. Expect the opening ceremony to feature the wonderful music of Dvořák and Smetana – music that moves and inspires, and which, in Jiří’s words, makes every proud Czech “put his hand on his heart.” The networking event will be particularly memorable, with music and dancing until the early hours in Žofín Palace, situated on the scenic Slovanský Island with awe-inspiring views of the city at night. splendour.
Whenever I meet Jiří, his enthusiasm and good humour are infectious, and this time was no different. He was especially keen that I mention that Czech beer is not only the best in Europe (even if his German and Belgian friends might disagree), but also among the cheapest – at just 2–3 euros for a 500 ml glass!
