title: [Sialendoscopy--learning curve and nation-wide survey in German ENT-departments].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sialendoscopy is an established, minimal-invasive technique to diagnose and treat obstructive diseases of major salivary glands. Knowledge on learning curve and distribution in Germany is limited. MATERIAL UND METHODS: An 11 item questionnaire on Sialendoscopy was sent to all 159 German ent-hospitals. To determine the learning curve, all patients that underwent sialendoscopy during a 1-year-period after invention of sialendoscopy in our department were prospectively followed and evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sialendoscopy is currently performed in a minority (24%) of ent-departments in Germany. Denial was justified by technical problems, a lack of cost-benefit and small number of patients in descending order. A significant reduction of intervention time (61.0 ± 32.7 min to 43.2 ± 33.6 min, p=0.013) and less frequent aborted operations were noted after comparison of the first vs. the second half amount of interventions as indicators of a learning curve. Complications were not found to be significantly raised in the first half of interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fact that sialendoscopy is provided in only a minority of ent-departments will in the future most likely be overcome by technical improvements. A learning curve has to be anticipated.
authors: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf-Halschirurgie und plastische Operationen des Universitätsklinikums Giessen & Marburg, Standort Giessen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany. tobiaskroll@web.de
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kroll
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Finkensieper
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Hauk
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Guntinas-Lichius
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Wittekindt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003625:Data Collection; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult