Effect of Application Screening Methods on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Otolaryngology.

Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) lags behind other surgical subspecialties in the representation of underrepresented minorities in medicine (URMs). Given the recently announced changes to Step 1 scoring, we aimed to assess the effect of alternative application screening methods-Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scores and Alpha Omega Alpha membership-on the racial/ethnic diversity of the OHNS applicant pool. After reviewing OHNS residency applications submitted to our institution for the 2015-2020 matches (N = 2177), we determined that a significantly greater proportion of URM vs non-URM applicants would be screened out from interview consideration if any the following were used as an initial screening method: Step 2 cutoff score of 240, Step 2 cutoff score of 253 or non-Alpha Omega Alpha membership (P < .01 for each). Given that using these metrics to screen applications disproportionately affects URMs, programs should consider implementing alternative application review methods, such as holistic evaluation, which may promote more equitable distribution of interviews.

Surgical simulation and applicant perception in otolaryngology residency interviews.

OBJECTIVE: The traditional resident applicant interview involves multiple oral interviews. The implementation of surgical simulations adds an additional dimension of assessment but can be perceived in a stressful way by applicants. The purpose of this project is to describe low-fidelity simulations that were implemented for the 2016 to 2017 residency interviews and obtain applicant perception of these simulations. METHODS: Six simulation modules were created, which reflected tasks used in six subspecialties within otolaryngology (pediatrics, otology, laryngology, facial plastics, rhinology, and head/neck). Applicants were guided in the procedures by both an attending and resident. Afterward, applicants were anonymously surveyed on their perception of the tasks using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Somewhat Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Somewhat Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree). RESULTS: A total of 41 applicants were interviewed. The following were measured: enjoyable (98.5% strongly agree, 2.5% somewhat agree; mean: 4.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.92, 5.02), educational (88% strongly agree, 12% somewhat agree; mean: 4.88; 95% CI, 4.78, 4.98), recommended for future use (92.7% strongly agree, 7.3% somewhat agree; mean: 4.93; 95% CI, 4.85, 5.01), and stressful (63.5% strongly disagree, 19.5% somewhat disagree, 17% neutral; mean: 1.54; 95% CI, 1.30, 1.78). CONCLUSION: Implementation of a low-fidelity multi-station surgical simulation experience is feasible in an interview day. Majority of applicants viewed the simulations in a positive manner. Surgical simulations may provide a useful holistic evaluation of an applicant in future interviews, especially if done in a setting that minimizes stress and maximizes the educational experience. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 2503-2507, 2018.

Type I gore-tex laryngoplasty for glottic incompetence in mobile vocal folds.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of gore-tex medialization thyroplasty for the management of glottic incompetence (GI) in patients with mobile vocal folds. METHODS: Twenty patients with glottic incompetence (GI) and mobile vocal folds were retrospectively analyzed after gore-tex medialization laryngoplasty. Pre- and postoperative outcome measures including grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain of the voice (GRBAS), glottal function index (GFI), and voice-related quality of life (VRQOL) were compared to detect surgical effectiveness. Two anesthetic subgroups were identified and compared: general anesthesia, via laryngeal mask airway (LMA) anesthetic, and local anesthesia. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were identified between pre- and postoperative VRQOL (P<0.0001), GFI (P<0.01), and composite GRBAS (P<0.0001) after a mean follow-up time of 7.8 months. Both the LMA and the local anesthetic subgroups demonstrated similar significance across these measures. GFI and VRQOL scores demonstrate a moderate correlation (ρ=0.71). Perceptual voice quality (GRBAS) correlates slightly better with VRQOL scores (ρ=-0.6; P<0.01) than qualitative measures of glottal function (GFI) (ρ=0.43). CONCLUSION: Gore-tex thyroplasty provides reliable medium-term improvement in both perceptual and subjective voice parameters in the setting of GI with mobile vocal folds.

Safety and cost-effectiveness of intra-office flexible videolaryngoscopy with transoral vocal fold injection in dysphagic patients.

SETTING: A tertiary care referral-based otolaryngology practice. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety of office-based transoral oral vocal fold injection in an ambulatory dysphagic population and to evaluate cost-effectiveness in comparison with traditional injection laryngoplasty done under general anesthesia in the operating room. Dysphagia is a nonspecific and common symptom of many head and neck and systemic disease processes. In patients with glottal incompetence, the presenting complaint of dysphagia generally portends to more global oropharyngeal dysfunction than dysphonia alone. Although many authors have reported on and advocated the use of office injection technique in the management of dysphonia caused by glottal insufficiency, there is a paucity of literature regarding the use of this technique in a more medically compromised dysphagic patient population (Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1997;106:778-83). We describe our experience with vocal fold injection in the office setting using a transoral technique under flexible videolaryngoscopy for the treatment of glottal insufficiency in dysphagic patients. The safety and cost-effectiveness of this approach are highlighted.