Perioperative tracheotomy complications are rare; however, the rate of death for all causes is high (22%) in this population. Obesity and the use of endotracheal tubes over 7.5 in size are major risk factors for the development of airway stenosis. Although percutaneous tracheotomy resulted in a significantly higher rate of postoperative bleeding (6.6%) than the open method (1.9%) (P<.05), the use of outer flange tracheostomy tube sutures may reduce this complication.

Injection laryngoplasty is an effective method of treating glottal insufficiency, as measured by voice outcomes. Patients have realistic expectations on the procedure experience and find it tolerable. This is the first prospective study of injection laryngoplasty outcomes.

ObjectiveOtolaryngic disorders are very common in primary care, comprising 20–50% of presenting complaints to a primary care provider. There is limited otolaryngology training in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education for primary care. Continuing medical education may be the next opportunity to train our primary care providers (PCPs). The objective of this study was to assess the otolaryngology knowledge of a group of PCPs attending an otolaryngology update course.MethodsPCPs enrolled in an otolaryngology update course completed a web-based anonymous survey on demographics and a pre-course knowledge test. This test was composed of 12 multiple choice questions with five options each. At the end of the course, they were asked to evaluate the usefulness of the course for their clinical practice.ResultsThirty seven (74%) PCPs completed the survey. Mean knowledge test score out of a maximum score of 12 was 4.0±1.7 (33.3±14.0%). Sorted by area of specialty, the mean scores out of a maximum score of 12 were: family medicine 4.6±2.1 (38.3±17.3%), pediatric medicine 4.2±0.8 (35.0±7.0%), other (e.g., dentistry, emergency medicine) 4.2±2.0 (34.6±17.0%), and adult medicine 3.9±2.1 (32.3±17.5%). Ninety one percent of respondents would attend the course again.ConclusionThere is a low level of otolaryngology knowledge among PCPs attending an otolaryngology update course. There is a need for otolaryngology education among PCPs.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate face and content validity of a low-cost, low-technology, non-biologic endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) task trainer and knowledge-based curriculum followed by construct validation of the task trainer. Methods A sinus surgery task trainer and curriculum were developed. Attending otolaryngologists were surveyed regarding the utility of the task trainer and curriculum. A cross-sectional construct validation study was performed including medical students, residents, and attending otolaryngologists. Nine tasks were performed on the task trainer and graded using a global rating scale (GRS). Predictors of task trainer performance were evaluated, and spatial performance was measured. Regression analyses were performed to assess main associations. Results 100% of attendings (n=7) agreed that the task trainer accelerates the learning curve and incorporates essential ESS techniques and that the knowledge-based curriculum describes anatomical and technical knowledge germane to ESS. Twelve medical students, nine otolaryngology residents, and five attending otolaryngologists completed task trainer testing. GRS score varied by level of training after adjusting for potential confounders (slope=2.63; p=0.001). There was evidence of an association between a history of video gaming (slope=1.33; p=0.077), sports experience (slope=2.08; p=0.033), and sinus surgery simulation (slope=2.72; p=0.023) with GRS score, although not statistically significant. Conclusion This study demonstrated validity of a knowledge-based sinus surgery curriculum and low-cost, sinus task trainer supporting use in early training. Participants with prior video gaming, sports participation, and sinus surgery simulation experience perform better at baseline on the task trainer.

Objective Although the literature adequately identifies the current gender inequality that exists in academic otolaryngology and describes the barriers to advancement of women in academic medicine, there is little information regarding the daily details of how successful women in academic otolaryngology achieve work-life balance. This study was designed to better understand how women in academic otolaryngology achieve work-life balance while negotiating family and childrearing commitments, clinical workload, and scholarly activity, as well as to highlight coping strategies and behaviors that women have used to achieve these successes. Study Design Qualitative research design. Methods Thirteen successful women in academic otolaryngology with children were recruited using a networking/snowball sampling methodology to participate in a semistructured qualitative interview about the daily process of work-life balance in an academic otolaryngology practice. A focus group of 7 additional participants was held to validate critical topics/themes. Results Four broad categories of findings emerged from the study: (1) participants’ strong commitment to academic medicine, (2) the fluid/elusive nature of work-life balance, (3) specific approaches to successfully managing home life, and (4) insights related to achieving psychoemotional health. Conclusions The conflicting demands between home and professional life are one of the barriers to recruiting, promoting, and retaining women in academic otolaryngology. Fostering a better environment for work-life balance is critical to promote the advancement of women in otolaryngology and otolaryngology leadership.