OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the performance of stapes surgery by residents during residency has decreased during the last 40 years, and if so, whether such a decrease has impacted the number of general otolaryngologists performing stapedectomy in the private practice setting. STUDY DESIGN: Survey questionnaire of members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. METHODS: A short questionnaire was mailed to 1,700 members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Data collected included age, year of residency graduation, fellowship (if any), practice setting, geographic location, number of stapedectomies performed in residency, and number of stapedectomies performed currently. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-six (44%) of 1,700 surveys were returned; 558 (74%) of 756 respondents did not complete a fellowship and were included in the general otolaryngologist group. Overall, 41% of general otolaryngologists are performing stapes surgery. There was a significant decline in the number of resident stapedectomies performed between 1960 and 1986; since 1986, this number has plateaued to an average of 8 to 9 (self-reported) cases per resident. More recent graduation from residency trended toward decreased inclination to do stapedectomy, although the result was not statistically significant. Increasing number of stapedectomy cases performed in residency correlated with an increased likelihood of performing the operation in practice. CONCLUSION: Despite a decreasing case volume of stapes surgery in residency, stapedectomy remains an operation performed by general otolaryngologists.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the performance of stapes surgery by residents during residency has decreased during the last 40 years, and if so, whether such a decrease has impacted the number of general otolaryngologists performing stapedectomy in the private practice setting. STUDY DESIGN: Survey questionnaire of members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. METHODS: A short questionnaire was mailed to 1,700 members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Data collected included age, year of residency graduation, fellowship (if any), practice setting, geographic location, number of stapedectomies performed in residency, and number of stapedectomies performed currently. RESULTS: Seven hundred fifty-six (44%) of 1,700 surveys were returned; 558 (74%) of 756 respondents did not complete a fellowship and were included in the general otolaryngologist group. Overall, 41% of general otolaryngologists are performing stapes surgery. There was a significant decline in the number of resident stapedectomies performed between 1960 and 1986; since 1986, this number has plateaued to an average of 8 to 9 (self-reported) cases per resident. More recent graduation from residency trended toward decreased inclination to do stapedectomy, although the result was not statistically significant. Increasing number of stapedectomy cases performed in residency correlated with an increased likelihood of performing the operation in practice. CONCLUSION: Despite a decreasing case volume of stapes surgery in residency, stapedectomy remains an operation performed by general otolaryngologists.