Michaela Richtrová

Full Citation: Richtrová M, Košková O, Marcián P, et al. Customized protective palatal obturator for intubation in newborns in cleft lip surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Med. 2025;57(1):2561802.

From an early age, I was fascinated by medicine and the ability to heal and help others. Growing up with a father who is a cardiac surgeon, I saw not only the technical excellence of medicine, but also the importance of kindness, empathy, and a human approach to patients. I have always loved working with children, and combining medicine with pediatrics felt like a natural and meaningful path for me.

Michaela Richtrová, MD, PhD, is a physician specializing in pediatric anaesthesiology and intensive care, working at University Hospital Brno and with the South Moravian Emergency Medical Service.

In her clinical practice, Dr. Richtrová focuses on the care of newborns and children with orofacial clefts, a particularly vulnerable patient group requiring highly specialized and safe anaesthetic management. Her work is characterized by close interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of modern technologies into everyday clinical care.

Advancing Paediatric Anaesthesiology Through Innovation

Dr. Richtrová’s research represents a significant advancement in pediatric anaesthesia. For the first time, an interventional randomized controlled study describes the use of an individualized, 3D-printed customized protective palatal obturator (CPPO) during intubation in newborns undergoing cleft lip repair. This personalized approach reduces the risk of injury during intubation, is particularly beneficial in severe cleft palates and increases overall anaesthetic safety. 

This method improves the safety of anesthesiological management in newborns with orofacial cleft defects, minimizes perioperative complications, has no reported side effects and is cost-effective and easy to implement, even in settings with limited resources. By combining CAD technology and 3D printing with clinical expertise, the research bridges innovation and practicality, offering solutions with clear international relevance.

A Human-Centered Approach to Medicine

Motivated by a lifelong fascination with medicine, Michaela Richtrová was inspired early on by the values of expertise, empathy and kindness. Although her father is a cardiac surgeon, her own path into medicine was driven by a deep desire to support people in difficult life and health situations and by her love of working with children. Seeing that her research directly improves care for the smallest and most vulnerable patients continues to fuel her commitment to further innovation in pediatric anaesthesiology.

Outside the hospital, she is a mother of four and values time spent with her family. She enjoys staying active through daily running, has played the cello since childhood and finds joy in motorcycling. These passions help sustain her energy, focus and dedication to medicine.

Being selected as a finalist for the International Medis Awards is, for her, both a meaningful recognition and a strong motivation to continue advancing safe, individualized and compassionate care for children.