Poster Presentations P141 POSTERSto patients with smoking-related illnesses, we believe they should have a decreased tendency to smoke.Method: A survey instrument was given to OR personnel at the University of Puerto Rico in order to learn the prevalence of smoking among other tobacco use related data. Prevalence for the general population and other healthcare-related populations was investigated using various search engines and compared with our results.Results: A total of 113 individuals completed the survey; 6.19% were found to be current smokers, and 7.96% were found to be past smokers. Data from the Centers for Disease Control show that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among US adults is 20.9%, which is significantly higher than what we found in our population (P = .01). In Puerto Rico, the prevalence of smoking is 10.6%, which is also significantly higher than our study population (P = .05). Among current smokers, (n = 7), 85.7% have tried to quit at least once (P = .02), and all claimed to have knowledge of the possible complications associated with smoking. Conclusion:Smoking tobacco remains the number one cause of preventable death in the United States despite many efforts to educate the general public on the dangers associated with its use. A more visual or hands-on encounter with the effects of smoking may help decrease tobacco burden in the general population. General Otolaryngology Surgical Skills of applicants to Residency in OtolaryngologyMerry E. Sebelik, MD (presenter); Mitchell J. Challis, MD; Ken Lewoczko; Rose Mary S. Stocks, MD, PharmDObjective: 1) Measure baseline competence in the performance of a basic surgical task by 4th-year medical students applying to otolaryngology residency. 2) Determine whether information available in the standardized otolaryngology residency application correlates with competence in performance of the basic surgical task.Method: Applicants to residency in otolaryngology with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2010 and 2011 constituted the study population. During the interview, the applicant was asked to close a simulated incision with sutures. A blinded observer recorded a 15-point Objective Surgical Assessment of Technical Skill score. Results:The OSATS score provided a measure of the suturing skills of individuals applying to residency training in otolaryngology. The OSATS score was incorporated into the calculation of an overall OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) score modified to focus on surgical skill performance and a professionalism measure. Initial data analysis produced a correlation value (R value) between the OSCE score and data points gleaned from the standardized application (USMLE step I score, prior employment-related surgical experience, hobbies, musical background, athletic background, research experience that includes performance of surgical procedures). Conclusion:In contrast to other high-skill professions such as the airline industry, surgical educators have not universally developed a practice of testing...

Poster Presentations P225POSTERS the predicted ELS. The path was visually verified to determine its relationship to the actual location of the ELS.Results: CT scans of 6 cadaveric temporal bones with boneimplanted fiducial markers were analyzed. The location of the ELS was predicted using traditional surgical landmarks. A custom Microtable (microstereotactic frame) was manufactured for each bone to target the ELS via a linear path (selected manually by CT). The bone was drilled to decompress the ELS. The Microtable was then mounted on the fiducial markers and the drill bit passed through its target hole to determine the actual targeted path. The drill bit coincided with the ELS in all specimens and did not transect any critical structures along its pathway.Conclusion: Current imaging technology allows for reliable identification of the ELS and generation of linear trajectories to reach the ELS without injury to adjacent structures. This work is the first step in the development of minimally invasive image-guided techniques to safely access the ELS in the treatment of Ménière's disease.