Stapedectomy in residency training.

Because fewer stapedectomies are performed today, concern has focused on whether or not residents are adequately trained in stapedectomy techniques. A retrospective study was done of patients undergoing stapedectomy over the last 11 years. This series represents primary resident-assisted cases performed under direct supervision of the attending surgeon. For 102 consecutive stapedectomies, the air-bone gap was closed to within 10 dB in 91 (89%), and no serious complications occurred. These results are compared with other published results, and our philosophy of teaching stapedectomy in residency is discussed.