Facial nerve monitoring among graduates of the Ear Research Foundation.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of facial nerve monitoring among graduates of an otology fellowship in which monitoring is emphasized throughout training.


METHODS
This study involved a questionnaire administered to graduates of the Ear Research Foundation, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A. (otology/neurotology fellowship).


METHODS
The study was performed in academic and private practices of surveyed physicians.


METHODS
These included patterns of facial nerve monitor use and surgical results after facial nerve injuries.


RESULTS
Nearly 100% of the graduates of the Ear Research Foundation continue to use facial nerve monitoring routinely in otologic surgery. Five cases of facial nerve injury in surgery for long-term disease were reported for all 15 neurotologists surveyed.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine facial nerve monitoring is not considered the standard of care in most communities; however risk of facial nerve injury appears to be greatly reduced when this adjunctive technique is employed.
Olds
M J
MJ
Ear Research Foundation, Sarasota, Florida, USA.
Rowan
P T
PT
Isaacson
J E
JE
Silverstein
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires