Abstract
Objective To collect data on skull base surgery training experiences and practice patterns
of otolaryngologists that recently completed fellowship training.
Design A 24-item survey was disseminated to physicians who completed otolaryngology fellowships
in rhinology, head and neck oncology, or neurotology between 2010 and 2014.
Results During a typical year, 50% of rhinologists performed more than 20 endoscopic anterior
skull base cases, 83% performed fewer than 20 open cases, and were more confident
performing advanced transplanum (p = 0.02) and transclival (p = 0.03) endoscopic approaches than head and neck surgeons. Head and neck surgeons
performed fewer than 20 endoscopic and fewer than 20 open cases in 100% of respondents
and were more confident with open approaches than rhinologists (p = 0.02). Neurotologists performed more than 20 lateral skull base cases in 45% of
respondents during a typical year, fewer than 20 endoscopic ear cases in 95%, and
were very comfortable performing lateral skull base approaches.
Conclusion Many recent otolaryngology fellowship graduates are integrating skull base surgery
into their practices. Respondents reported high confidence levels performing a range
of cranial base approaches. Exposure to endoscopic ear techniques is minimal in neurotology
training, and rhinology training appears to offer increased exposure to skull base
surgery compared with head and neck training.
Keywords
endoscopic skull base surgery - practice patterns - otolaryngology fellowship - survey
