Two studies presented at recent Triological Society meetings, both of which surveyed former otolaryngology residents about current otolaryngology surgical training and postgraduate practice and referrals, shed light on the direction in which the specialty’s training may need to move.
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May 2008What Is Taught and What Is Practiced?
A study conducted by a University of Cincinnati team that included Christopher R. Savage, MD, Robert W. Keith, PhD, and Myles L. Pensak, MD, aimed to determine the most common otologic and neurotologic procedures performed after completion of otolaryngology residency. Savage et al.1 distributed an Internet survey to 128 alumni trained within the past 25 years and received 70 responses (54.7%). The findings revealed that a majority of former graduates performed external ear incision and drainage (abscess/hematoma), excision of soft tissue external canal lesion, ventilation tube placement, tympanoplasty/ossiculoplasty, and mastoidectomy. Twenty-two performed stapedectomies/stapedotomies. A smaller number performed more complex procedures, including excision of glomus tumors, lateral temporal bone resection, and implantation or revision of bone-anchored hearing aids.
In contrast, mostly fellowship-trained neurotologists performed more advanced procedures, including labyrinthectomy, endolymphatic sac procedure, cochlear implant, facial nerve decompression, acoustic neuroma surgery, and vestibular nerve section.