Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and robotics have revolutionized the field of Otolaryngology. MIS and robotics have reshaped traditional otolaryngological practices, offering patients a multitude of benefits. Reduced incision sizes and tissue manipulation minimize postoperative pain and discomfort, while also improving cosmetic outcomes. MIS has facilitated enhanced visualization and access to intricate anatomical structures, enabling the treatment of previously inaccessible lesions. MIS procedures also offer shorter hospital stays, reduced blood loss, and faster healing times whilst enhancing patient satisfaction and overall quality of life The ongoing progress in minimally invasive approaches solidifies their role as a cornerstone in modern Otolaryngology, and surgeons navigating this transformative landscape must embrace the learning curve associated with these advanced techniques, recognizing the potential for improved patient outcomes. This article explores the transformative impact of MIS and robotics on the diverse branches of Otolaryngology, highlighting the technological advancements that have enabled these techniques to flourish.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures , Robotic Surgical Procedures , Humans , Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods , Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Otolaryngology
Dear colleagues,Dear readers,We are constantly developing innovative solutions and treatment concepts for our patients in our discipline. In this context, interdisciplinary collaboration is essential. The conference motto "Crossing Borders: interdisciplinary, international, interactive" of the 95th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery emphasizes the relevance of interdisciplinary cooperation and global exchange. This year, joint meetings with the European Laryngological Society (ELS) and the Rhinoplasty Society of Europe (RSE) will take place for the first time. The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Confederation of European Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (CEORL-HNS) are also involved in the scientific program. The interdisciplinary presentations offer insights into the most recent developments in the fields of head and neck oncology, skull base and orbital surgery, among others. They are a great opportunity to expand your own knowledge and exchange the latest research findings.
Otolaryngology , Humans , Germany , Societies, Medical , Congresses as Topic , Interdisciplinary Communication , Rhinoplasty/methods
BACKGROUND: Medical simulation is essential for surgical training yet is often too expensive and inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Furthermore, in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS), while simulation training is often focused on senior residents and specialists, there is a critical need to target general practitioners who carry a significant load of OHNS care in countries with limited OHNS providers. This scoping review aims to describe affordable, effective OHNS simulation models for early-stage trainees and non-OHNS specialists in resource-limited settings and discuss gaps in the literature. METHODS: This scoping review followed the five stages of Arksey and O'Malley's Scoping Review Methodology. Seven databases were used to search for articles. Included articles discussed physical models of the ear, nose, or throat described as "low-cost," "cost-effective," or defined as <$150 if explicitly stated; related to the management of common and emergent OHNS conditions; and geared towards undergraduate students, medical, dental, or nursing students, and/or early-level residents. RESULTS: Of the 1706 studies screened, 17 met inclusion criteria. Most studies were conducted in HICs. Most models were low-fidelity (less anatomically realistic) models. The most common simulated skills were peritonsillar abscess aspiration and cricothyrotomy. Information on cost was limited, and locally sourced materials were infrequently mentioned. Simulations were evaluated using questionnaires and direct observation. CONCLUSION: Low-cost simulation models can be beneficial for early medical trainees and students in LMICs, addressing resource constraints and improving skill acquisition. However, there is a notable lack of contextually relevant, locally developed, and cost-effective models. This study summarizes existing low-cost OHNS simulation models for early-stage trainees and highlights the need for additional locally sourced models. Further research is needed to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of these models.
Otolaryngology , Simulation Training , Humans , Otolaryngology/education , Simulation Training/economics , Clinical Competence , Internship and Residency , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Developing Countries
BACKGROUND: Analogous to the situation in other disciplines, digital ENT teaching made significant progress during the pandemic. Most ENT clinics nationwide were able to offer a complete virtual teaching program in time. Innovative teaching methods were also used early on. This was recognized in student teaching evaluations. Due to the expansion of virtual reality (VR) in medical teaching, even greater satisfaction should be expected through improved teaching quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surveys were performed with students (nâ¯= 180) of the ENT block internship in the summer semester of 2023. The aim of the evaluation was to determine the students' satisfaction with and subjective effectiveness of the newly implemented VR digital teaching method for teaching ear anatomy and coniotomy. A survey was also carried out among resident physicians. RESULTS: The ENT teaching was perceived favorably by the students, with an average rating of 11.7 out of 15. The learning effectiveness and the value of VR in the ENT learning portfolio was evaluated varyingly by the students. The physicians' assessment was different, with a more positive perception. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality represents an innovative component in the teaching portfolio of otolaryngology. This new teaching method is viewed and accepted as a future-oriented tool. Remarkably, the physicians involved voted consistently positively, while the students gave more critical assessments and pointed out limitations in the individual and subjective areas. These findings are in contrast to the further development of innovative teaching methods demanded by student interest groups.
Otolaryngology , Students, Medical , Virtual Reality , Otolaryngology/education , Humans , Germany , Surveys and Questionnaires , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Male , Female , Adult , Young Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel
BACKGROUND: Digital transformation in curricular teaching in medicine comprises the use of digital teaching and learning formats as well as the transfer of digital skills for medical staff. Concepts of knowledge transfer and competency profiles also have to be adapted and transferred in advanced training due to necessary changes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was an evaluation of the current state of digital transformation in otorhinolaryngology teaching in undergraduate and advanced training at otorhinolaryngology departments of university medical centers in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire with nine questions on digital transformation was sent to the assistant professors of 37 national university ENT departments. The anonymous survey was conducted online via the online platform SurveyMonkey®. RESULTS: Of the contacted assistant professors, 86.5% participated in the survey. Teaching sessions on digital skills for medical students are part of the curriculum in only 25% of ENT departments. Digital teaching formats are used by half of the departments in undergraduate training. Only 56.25% of the assistant professors receive support to realize the changes required by digital transformation. In 40.62% of departments, the issue of digital transformation is broached during advanced training, but only 28.12% use digital teaching methods to train junior doctors. CONCLUSION: Aspects of digital transformation are implemented mainly in undergraduate education, partly driven by the COVID 19 pandemic. Overall, there is still considerable backlog in undergraduate and advanced training in ENT.
Curriculum , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Otolaryngology , Otolaryngology/education , Germany , Humans , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/methods , Education, Medical, Undergraduate/trends , Attitude of Health Personnel , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Surveys and Questionnaires , Faculty, Medical/education
OBJECTIVE: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a particular challenge in the transition to digital teaching was to teach practical skills such as sonography of the head and neck online. The aim of this study was to validate the digital sonography course for medical students established at the Freiburg University Hospital ENT Department. METHODS: Participants were 178 students of human medicine. The study group simulated the sonography examination at home with a dummy transducer using the Peyton method under the guidance of a tutor via video seminar. In a subsequent learning success check, the results of the students in the online course were compared with those of the control group, who learned sonography in the classroom. RESULTS: Students of the online course achieved comparable results to the classroom group. CONCLUSION: This study shows that practical skills which require extensive equipment such as a sonography machine can be taught to a certain extent digitally or at least in a hybrid form.
COVID-19 , Clinical Competence , Computer-Assisted Instruction , Ultrasonography , COVID-19/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Germany , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Curriculum , Education, Distance/methods , Male , Female , Educational Measurement , Otolaryngology/education , SARS-CoV-2 , Adult
BACKGROUND: Communication skills are among the most important key qualifications of the medical profession. To what extent these can also be acquired online in medical education in otolaryngology is investigated in this study. OBJECTIVE: A voluntary online training for the teaching of communication skills was compared with a corresponding face-to-face format. The question of the extent to which acceptance of the two formats and students' self-assessment of their communicative skills differed was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the online training, students were prepared for the topic asynchronously via a video. Thereafter, they were able to conduct consultations with simulation patients online and synchronously. The face-to-face training was comparable in structure and duration and took place in an earlier semester. The acceptance of both seminars was assessed by a questionnaire with 19 items on a five-point Likert scale. Self-assessment of communication skills was measured by a 10-cm visual analog scale pre/post with 16 items. RESULTS: Both formats achieved high acceptance with an average score (M) of 2.08 (standard deviation, SDâ¯= 0.54) for the online format and Mâ¯= 1.97 (SDâ¯= 0.48) for the face-to-face event. Students' self-assessments of communication skills showed a twofold increase in the online group (Mâ¯= 1.54, SDâ¯= 0.94) compared to the face-to-face group (Mâ¯= 0.75, SDâ¯= 0.87). CONCLUSION: This study shows that teaching communication skills in the online format was well accepted and resulted in significant changes in students' self-assessment of communication skills.
Communication , Computer-Assisted Instruction , Curriculum , Otolaryngology , Otolaryngology/education , Germany , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Humans , Education, Distance/methods , Educational Measurement , Male , Female , Physician-Patient Relations
BACKGROUND: Open educational resources (OER) are educational materials licensed openly by authors, permitting usage, redistribution, and in some instances, modification. OER platforms thereby serve as a medium for distributing and advancing teaching materials and innovative educational methodologies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the present state of OER in otorhinolaryngology and to examine the prerequisites for seamlessly integrating OER into the curricular teaching of medical schools, specifically through the design of two OER blended learning modules. METHODS: OER content in the field of otorhinolaryngology was analyzed on OER platforms, ensuring its relevance to the German medical curriculum. Data protection concerns were addressed with legal counsel. The blended learning modules were developed in collaboration with medical students and subsequently published as OER. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This project yielded the first OER from a German ENT department, tailored to the German medical curriculum. One significant barrier to OER use in medicine, more than in other fields, is data protection. This challenge can be navigated by obtaining consent to publish patient data as OER. OER hold the promise to play a pivotal role in fostering cooperation and collaboration among educators, aiding educators in lesson preparation, and simultaneously enhancing didactic quality.
Curriculum , Needs Assessment , Otolaryngology , Germany , Pilot Projects , Otolaryngology/education , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Humans , Teaching Materials , Education, Medical/methods
INTRODUCTION: Our study seeks to understand the profiles of otolaryngologists selected by Castle Connolly's Top Doctor list and how this compares to the entire field of otolaryngology. METHODS: Top Doctor lists published in Castle Connolly affiliated magazines were analyzed for Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery, or Pediatric Otolaryngology physicians. Only lists published in 2021 or representing the 2021 Top Doctor lists were analyzed. Of the total 39 partnered magazines, 27 met our criteria. Information on the physician was analyzed from the Castle Connolly website and included: gender, education, faculty position, years as a Top Doctor, and certifications of each physician. RESULTS: 879 doctors, 742 (84%) men and 137 women (16%), were included in our analysis. 509 physicians completed a fellowship, 85 (62%) women and 424 (57%) men. The fellowship type varied significantly between gender (p = .002). 122 (14%) Top Doctors completed facial and plastic reconstructive surgery and 111 (91%) were men. Of the women Top Doctors completing a fellowship, 29 (34%) completed a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology. A logistic regression found that men have an increased odds of being on the Top Doctors list for more years than females (OR: 1.36, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The percentage of women named as Top Doctors was less than the proportion of women in otolaryngology. This may be attributed to gender differences we found in fellowship type and certification. Further research into the role of otolaryngology subspecialties in selection of Top Doctors is needed to better understand gender differences.
Otolaryngology , Physicians, Women , Male , Child , Humans , Female , United States , Sex Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Certification
BACKGROUND: In otosurgical training, cadaveric temporal bones are primarily used to provide a realistic tactile experience. However, using cadaveric temporal bones is challenging due to their limited availability, high cost, and potential for infection. Utilizing current three-dimensional (3D) technologies could overcome the limitations associated with cadaveric bones. This study focused on how a 3D-printed middle ear model can be used in otosurgical training. METHODS: A cadaveric temporal bone was imaged using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to generate a 3D model of the middle ear. The final model was printed from transparent photopolymers using a laser-based 3D printer (vat photopolymerization), yielding a 3D-printed phantom of the external ear canal and middle ear. The feasibility of this phantom for otosurgical training was evaluated through an ossiculoplasty simulation involving ten otosurgeons and ten otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) residents. The participants were tasked with drilling, scooping, and placing a 3D-printed partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP). Following the simulation, a questionnaire was used to collect the participants' opinions and feedback. RESULTS: A transparent photopolymer was deemed suitable for both the middle ear phantom and PORP. The printing procedure was precise, and the anatomical landmarks were recognizable. Based on the evaluations, the phantom had realistic maneuverability, although the haptic feedback during drilling and scooping received some criticism from ORL-HNS residents. Both otosurgeons and ORL-HNS residents were optimistic about the application of these 3D-printed models as training tools. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-printed middle ear phantom and PORP used in this study can be used for low-threshold training in the future. The integration of 3D-printed models in conventional otosurgical training holds significant promise.
Cadaver , Ear, Middle , Models, Anatomic , Printing, Three-Dimensional , Temporal Bone , Humans , Ear, Middle/surgery , Temporal Bone/surgery , Temporal Bone/diagnostic imaging , Ossicular Prosthesis , Otolaryngology/education , X-Ray Microtomography , Simulation Training , Otologic Surgical Procedures/education , Otologic Surgical Procedures/instrumentation , Internship and Residency
Objective:To analyze the related factors that may affect the onset of benign paroxysmal positional vertigoï¼BPPVï¼. Methods:Fifty BPPV patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital from May to September 2023 were selected as the case group, and 50 healthy adults were selected as the control group. Relevant information was collected by means of questionnaire survey and medical history inquiry. The two groups were compared in terms of sleep time, night sleep duration, wake times, underlying diseasesï¼hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc.ï¼ and negative emotional impact. Results:The proportion of male and female in the case group was 16% and 84%, and that in the control group was 20% and 80%. The mean age of the case group wasï¼54.66±13.39ï¼ years old, and the mean age of the control group wasï¼54.42±12.55ï¼ years old, ranging from 27 to 80 years old. The sleeping time of the case group was significantly later than that of the healthy group, and the difference was statistically significantï¼P<0.05ï¼. The night sleep duration of the case group was shorter than that of the healthy group, the difference was statistically significantï¼P<0.05ï¼. There was no significant difference in awakening times between the case group and the healthy groupï¼P>0.05ï¼. There were more patients in the case group with underlying diseasesï¼54%ï¼ and affected by negative emotionsï¼70%ï¼ than in the healthy group, and the difference was statistically significantï¼P<0.05ï¼. Conclusion:Late sleep time, short sleep duration at night, accompanied by underlying diseases and negative emotions can affect the onset of BPPV.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo , Otolaryngology , Adult , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Sleep , Time Factors , Emotions
OBJECTIVES: Inclusion of advanced practice providers (APPs) in hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology has been growing rapidly, aligning with a 70% increase in physician assistants in all surgical subspecialties in recent years. A post-graduate training program is developed to reflect these growing and changing responsibilities. METHODS: Curriculum development took place at one institution over eight years for 16 APPs following a standard Six Step Approach to medical curriculum: 1) Problem Identification and General Needs Assessment, 2) Targeted Needs Assessment, 3) Goals & Objectives, 4) Education Strategies, 5) Implementation, and 6) Evaluation and Feedback. This was integrated into an onboarding process for new hires and a continuing education plan for established providers. Gaps were identified throughout the process to improve education, skills required for competency, and readiness for independent practice. RESULTS: The curriculum incorporated a subset of goals and objectives from the familiar resident curriculum with significant differences in orientation and onboarding. A Clinical Competency Checklist was used initially for feedback and later to support credentialing after completion of the curriculum. A Procedure Rating Form was used for feedback and documentation of the number of performances required for credentialing. Self-Assessment was utilized to further identify readiness for independence and tailor additional education to meet practice needs. CONCLUSION: The curriculum and onboarding process presented can be used for any advanced practice provider joining an individual or team of pediatric otolaryngology providers. A standardized curriculum is helpful to the supervisors and trainees. Further collaboration between institutions and development of benchmarks will help ensure excellence in education and in care of pediatric otolaryngology patients.
Clinical Competence , Credentialing , Curriculum , Otolaryngology , Pediatrics , Physician Assistants , Humans , Otolaryngology/education , Pediatrics/education , Physician Assistants/education , Tertiary Healthcare , Ambulatory Care/standards , Education, Medical, Graduate/standards
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of visual abstracts versus automated tweets on social media participation in Otology & Neurotology . PATIENTS: N/A. INTERVENTIONS: Introduction of visual abstracts developed by the social media editorial team to established automated tweets created by the dlvr.it computer program on the Otology & Neurotology Twitter account. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twitter analytics including the number of new followers per month, impressions per tweet, and engagements per tweet. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test was used to compare means. RESULTS: From October 2016 to October 2017 (average of 20 new followers per month), 101 automated tweets averaged 536 impressions and 16 engagements per tweet. The visual abstract was introduced in November 2017. From November 2017 to November 2020 (average of 39 new followers per month), 447 automated tweets averaged 747 impressions and 22 engagements per tweet, whereas 157 visual abstracts averaged 1977 impressions and 78 engagements per tweet. Automated tweets were discontinued in December 2020. From December 2020 to December 2022 (average of 44 new followers per month), 95 visual abstracts averaged 1893 impressions and 103 engagements per tweet. With the introduction of the visual abstract, the average number of followers, impressions per tweet, and engagements per tweet significantly increased (all p -values <0.01; all large effect sizes of 0.16, 0.47, and 0.47, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Visual abstracts created by a social media editorial team have a positive impact on social media participation in the field of otology and neurotology. The impact is greater than that of social media content generated by Twitter automation tools.
Neurotology , Otolaryngology , Social Media , Humans , Abstracting and Indexing
Con frecuencia se usan en el ámbito sanitario los términos traqueotomía y traqueostomía, pudiendo generar dudas entre los propios profesionales sobre qué definición corresponde a cada término o cuál de ellos debe considerarse más correcto en casos concretos. Se ha realizado una búsqueda de los términos «traqueotomía» y «traqueostomía» en los diccionarios generalistas en idioma español del Diccionario de la Real Academia Española (DRAE) y del Diccionario Histórico de la Lengua Española de la Real Academia Española (DHLE), y de los términos en inglés «tracheotomy» y «tracheostomy» en los diccionarios generalistas en idioma inglés del Oxford Dictionary, del Cambridge Dictionary y del Collins English Dictionary. Asimismo, se ha hecho una búsqueda en los diccionarios de términos médicos en español del Diccionario de Términos Médicos de la Real Academia Nacional de Medicina (DTM) y en inglés del Farlex Dictionary. Los términos se buscaron también en el buscador generalista de Internet Google®. Se analizaron las definiciones desde el punto de vista lexicográfico y etimológico. Las definiciones que aparecen en los diccionarios generalistas, tanto en español como en inglés, son imprecisas, limitadas y adolecen de ambigüedad por mezclar indicaciones desactualizadas con criterios alejados de la etimología. Sin embargo, las definiciones en los diccionarios de términos médicos en ambos idiomas están más ajustadas a la etimología. La traqueotomía identifica estrictamente el procedimiento quirúrgico de realización de una apertura en la cara anterior de la tráquea. La traqueostomía identifica la realización de un orificio que comunica la tráquea con el exterior e implica una modificación del tracto aéreo superior al proporcionar una entrada adicional de la vía respiratoria. Solo en las laringectomías totales la traqueostomía es la única vía de entrada al tracto aéreo. Ambos términos pueden utilizarse sinónimamente cuando una traqueotomía culmina con una traqueostomía. No convendrá utilizar el término traqueostomía cuando se produce el cierre de los planos al final del procedimiento y este no resulta en la creación de un estoma. Los traqueostomas pueden ser cualificados con adjetivos de tiempo de permanencia (temporal/permanente), tamaño (grande/pequeño), forma (redondo/elíptico), o profundidad por sí mismos, sin vincularse a ningún tipo de enfermedad o de indicación quirúrgica. No todos los traqueostomas permanentes tienen lugar en laringectomías totales ni tienen sistemáticamente un carácter irreversible.(AU)
In the healthcare field, the terms traqueotomía and traqueostomía are frequently used, often leading to confusion among professionals regarding the appropriate definition for each term or which one should be considered more correct in specific cases. A search was conducted for the terms traqueotomía and traqueostomía in general Spanish-language dictionaries such as the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (DRAE) and the Historical Dictionary of the Spanish Language of the Royal Spanish Academy (DHLE), as well as for the English terms tracheotomy and tracheostomy in English general dictionaries like the Oxford Dictionary, the Cambridge Dictionary, and the Collins English Dictionary. Additionally, searches were performed in medical dictionaries in both Spanish, specifically the Dictionary of Medical Terms of the National Academy of Medicine (DTM), and English, including the Farlex Dictionary. The terms were also explored using the Google search engine. Definitions were analyzed from both lexicographical and etymological perspectives. Definitions found in general dictionaries, in both Spanish and English, were found to be imprecise, limited, and ambiguous, as they mixed outdated indications with criteria that deviated from etymology. In contrast, definitions in medical dictionaries in both languages were more aligned with etymology. Traqueotomía strictly identifies the surgical procedure of creating an opening in the anterior face of the trachea. Traqueostomía identifies the creation of an opening that connects the trachea to the exterior, involving a modification of the upper airway by providing an additional entry for the respiratory pathway. Traqueostomía becomes the sole means of entry to the airway in total laryngectomies. Both terms can be used synonymously when a traqueotomía culminates in a traqueostomía. However, it is not appropriate to use the term traqueostomía when the procedure concludes with the closure of the planes and does not result in the creation of a stoma. Traqueostomas can be qualified with adjectives indicating permanence (temporary/permanent), size (large/small), shape (round/elliptical), or depth, without being linked to any specific disease or surgical indication. Not all permanent traqueostomas are the result of total laryngectomies, and they do not necessarily have an irreversible character systematically.(AU)
Humans , Male , Female , Otolaryngology , Tracheotomy , Tracheostomy , Terminology as Topic
