Acquisition of basic ear surgery skills: a randomized comparison between endoscopic and microscopic techniques

Abstract

Background Endoscopic ear surgery is gaining increasing popularity and has an important impact on teaching middle ear anatomy and basic surgical skills among residents and fellows. Due to the wide-angled views offered, the approach significantly differs from the established microscopic technique. This randomized study compares the acquisition of basic ear-surgery skills using the endoscopic and microscopic technique under standardized conditions. We aim to investigate the required surgical times, attempts and accidental damages to surrounding structures (errors) in surgeons with different training levels. Methods Final-year medical students (n = 9), residents (n = 14) and consultants (n = 10) from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland were enrolled in the present study. After randomization every participant had to complete a standard set of grasping and dissecting surgical tasks in a temporal bone model. After the first session the participants were crossed over to the other technique. Results Time required for completion of the surgical tasks was similar for both techniques, but highly dependent on the training status. A significant increase in the number of damages to the ossicular chain was observed with the microscopic as compared to the endoscopic technique (p < 0.001). Moreover, students beginning with the endoscopic technique showed an overall significantly lower amount of time to complete the tasks (p = 0.04). From the subjective feedback a preference towards the endoscopic technique mainly in medical students was observed. Conclusions The endoscopic approach is useful and beneficial for teaching basic surgical skills, mainly by providing a reduction of damage to surrounding tissues with similar operating times for both techniques. Moreover, medical students performed significantly faster, when first taught in the endoscopic technique. Especially for young surgeons without previous training in ear surgery, the endoscope should be considered to improve surgical skills in the middle ear.

SimTube: A National Simulation Training and Research Project

“…This finding is reflective of the current literature on this topic. 1,25,26 A 1-point difference in global OSATS score translated into a 10% faster rate of gaining competence. This hazard ratio does not evaluate who is more likely to be competent but who is likely to gain competence faster.…”

Teaching Middle Ear Anatomy and Basic Ear Surgery Skills: A Qualitative Study Comparing Endoscopic and Microscopic Techniques

“…However, accidental damage to the ossicular chain during the dissection and grasping tasks was significantly less of a problem for the students and residents when using endoscopy. 8…”

A three-dimensional printed myringotomy, tympanostomy and ventilation tube placement simulator

“…Another advantage of the model is its portability. Its reduced dimensions mean it is easily transported, as are previous models reported in the literature, 17,20,21 and may even allow its later sale and wide distribution.…”

“…Anschuetz et al reported better adaptation to use of the endoscope as opposed to the microscope by otologic surgeons, especially in students and residents with little experience in the field. 21 In cadaver training, endoscopy was the method that best avoided accidents, in addition to providing the advantage of wide visualisation in a restricted space.…”