Otology Training in India: Is It Up to the Mark?

Different studies have shown that a significant number of medical graduates do not achieve the necessary preparedness for delivery of effective health care in a safe and acceptable manner. Various studies have been undertaken to explore the competencies of surgical residents in otorhinolaryngology. This study was carried out to find out the status of training in otology being provided across different institutions in India. This is a cross sectional study undertaken at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur. An online survey questionnaire enquiring about different aspects of otologic training being followed at various centres was developed and was sent online to all prospective responders. Out of the 217 responders, 88 were faculty members and 129 residents. 62% of the faculty members and 56.5% of residents mentioned that their centre has a temporal bone dissection lab. 64.7% of the faculty members and 58.2% of the residents responded that temporal bone dissection is mandatory before live surgeries. 44% residents have their thesis topic related to otology. About 79% of faculty members and residents are not happy with the the training module being followed in their centre and feel it needs improvement. There needs to be a standardized curriculum that is followed all over the country for teaching the residents during their residency. Increase in existing centers with well equipped staff and facilites is required to provide the residents with opportunities to hone and refine their surgical skills during their training period. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s12070-021-02485-0).

Identifying the Facial Nerve in Parotid Surgeries: How We Do It.

INTRODUCTION: The facial nerve is an important structure related to parotid gland surgery. Its identification at the time of surgery is critical. Multiple anatomical landmarks have been described to aid in its identification. The objective of this study is to assess whether the tympanomastoid suture is a better surgical landmark than the tragal pointer for identifying the facial nerve while performing parotidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients presenting over a period of 3 years from 2016 to 2018 with a parotid swelling without pre-operative facial weakness were included in the study. The average distances between the facial nerve (FN) and the tragal pointer (TP), and the facial nerve (FN) and tympanomastoid suture (TMS) were calculated intra-operatively and compared. RESULTS: Out of the 60 patients operated, 54 underwent superficial parotidectomy and 6 underwent total conservative parotidectomy. The mean distance between the FN (main trunk) and TP was found to be 18.38 ± 6.85 mm and that between FN and TMS was found to be 2.92 ± 0.6 mm (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Tympanomastoid suture is a fairly constant and consistent bony landmark to locate the facial nerve during parotid surgeries as compared to the more commonly used cartilaginous tragal pointer. The results of this study can guide surgeons during parotidectomy, to correctly and promptly identify the facial nerve thereby reducing the risk of injury.