Venue: SPU Creative Centre, Nitra, Slovakia
Date: September 23–25, 2026
Project Manager: Ing. Veronika Mikulenková

INTRODUCTION

At the end of September, the historic city beneath Zobor Hill became the center of Slovak and international otorhinolaryngology. The modern multifunctional premises of the Creative Centre of the Slovak University of Agriculture (SPU) in Nitra welcomed the 72nd Congress of the Slovak Society for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SSO). This prestigious event with a long tradition was organized in close cooperation between the ENT Clinic of the Faculty Hospital Nitra, the SSO, and GUARANT International. Under the leadership of Congress President MUDr. Katarína Obtulovičová, PhD., Organizing Committee Chair MUDr. Zuzana Švarc Haninová, and Scientific Committee Chair Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Lukáš Varga, PhD., the meeting offered a top-level platform for presenting the latest trends in diagnostics and treatment.

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

The scientific program ran in parallel in three halls and built on a proven structure combining morning instructional courses, thematic round tables, sessions of submitted papers, poster and e-poster sessions, and a specialized section for non-physicians focusing, among other things, on clinical speech therapy and the diagnosis of swallowing disorders. A wide range of topics covered the key areas of the field – from middle ear surgery, cochlear implantation, and chronic rhinosinusitis through tumors of the head, neck, and salivary glands to the use of artificial intelligence in 3D modeling and the possibilities of robotic surgery in ENT.

The talks by invited international speakers, moderated by Prof. MUDr. Miroslav Tedla, PhD., attracted great attention. The invitation was accepted by Prof. Ann Hermansson from Lund, Sweden, Prof. László Tamás from Budapest, MUDr. Martin Lacko, PhD., from Maastricht, the Netherlands, and Prof. Georg Sprinzl from St. Pölten, Austria, who spoke about hearing preservation and robotic surgery in cochlear implantation. The program was also enriched by innovative accompanying features – during breaks, delegates could watch a unique demonstration of video projection in a virtual silo, and on Thursday they had access to a free legal advice zone with JUDr. Husovský of the h&h PARTNERS law firm, focusing on practical questions from medical practice such as informed consent and clinical audits.

SOCIAL PROGRAM AND NETWORKING

Alongside intensive education, the congress placed great emphasis on personal meetings among colleagues. It all started with Wednesday's official opening of the congress, combined with a welcome toast.

The highlight of the accompanying program was Thursday's social evening in the exclusive setting of the Hotel Zlatý Kľúčik in Nitra. Interest among delegates was enormous and the event sold out completely, underlining the excellent atmosphere of the congress and the professional community's desire to build and strengthen professional and personal ties in an informal setting.

CONCLUSION

The 72nd SSO Congress in Nitra was a worthy continuation of the rich tradition of meetings in the field and confirmed how important interdisciplinary cooperation and an open exchange of clinical experience are for further improving patient care. The modern facilities of the SPU Creative Centre provided an ideal setting for this combination of science, practice, and networking.

Great thanks go to the Slovak Society for Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, the ENT Clinic of the Faculty Hospital Nitra, the organizing and scientific committees, all speakers and participants, and last but not least the congress partners, led by MED-EL. The complete organization and smooth running of this traditional professional congress were ensured by the GUARANT International team led by Project Manager Ing. Veronika Mikulenková.