Teaching paradigm for decision making in facial skin defect reconstructions.
OBJECTIVE
To present a decision paradigm for facial defect reconstruction, and test the ability of this paradigm to improve resident performance.


METHODS
A decision paradigm for reconstruction of facial skin defects is proposed and explained, with patient examples. The paradigm's usefulness is then tested with residents.


METHODS
Otolaryngology residency training program at a tertiary hospital.


METHODS
Otolaryngology residents.


METHODS
Twelve residents took a pretest wherein they were presented with drawings of skin defects and asked to choose the "best" (most aesthetically pleasing) type of reconstruction from a closed set. This paradigm was presented to these residents, and their posttest consisted of choosing again with the same defects and closed set of choices.


METHODS
Cosmetic outcomes of reconstructive decisions on the pretest and posttest were rated on a scale of 0 to 5 (with 0 indicating poor; 5, excellent).


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in reconstructive choices between the pretest and posttest (P<.001, Student t test).


CONCLUSIONS
This paradigm can be easily modified to accommodate different surgical approaches preferred by individual surgeons and is thus useful in almost any reconstructive teaching situation.
Calhoun
K H
KH
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77551, USA. kcalhoun@utmb.edu
Seikaly
H
H
Quinn
F B
FB
D000465:Algorithms; D002921:Cicatrix; D003657:Decision Making; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012868:Skin Abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013663:Teaching