Stapedectomy: demographics in 2006.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the performance of stapes surgery by residents during residency has decreased during the last 40 years, and if so, whether such a decrease has impacted the number of general otolaryngologists performing stapedectomy in the private practice setting.


METHODS
Survey questionnaire of members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.


METHODS
A short questionnaire was mailed to 1,700 members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Data collected included age, year of residency graduation, fellowship (if any), practice setting, geographic location, number of stapedectomies performed in residency, and number of stapedectomies performed currently.


RESULTS
Seven hundred fifty-six (44%) of 1,700 surveys were returned; 558 (74%) of 756 respondents did not complete a fellowship and were included in the general otolaryngologist group. Overall, 41% of general otolaryngologists are performing stapes surgery. There was a significant decline in the number of resident stapedectomies performed between 1960 and 1986; since 1986, this number has plateaued to an average of 8 to 9 (self-reported) cases per resident. More recent graduation from residency trended toward decreased inclination to do stapedectomy, although the result was not statistically significant. Increasing number of stapedectomy cases performed in residency correlated with an increased likelihood of performing the operation in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a decreasing case volume of stapes surgery in residency, stapedectomy remains an operation performed by general otolaryngologists.
Caughey
Robert J
RJ
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
Pitzer
Geoffrey B
GB
Kesser
Bradley W
BW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011331:Private Practice; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States