Author(s)
Candace Alexandra Flagg, MD
Jason Keith Adams, MD
Travis R. Newberry, MD
Jayne R. Stevens, MD
Isaac D. Erbele, MD
Affiliation(s)
Brooke Army Medical Center
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to determine general otolaryngologists' surgical volume after graduation from residency.
Objectives: To determine the rate at which general otolaryngologists perform thyroidectomy/parathyroidectomy as compared to fellowship trained head and neck surgeons.
Study Design: Retrospective review.
Methods: The Military Health System Data Repository was queried for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy current procedure terminology codes for procedures between 2010-2019. The rate of procedures performed at military centers supported by an otolaryngologist were compared to those performed by civilian surgeons in the same catchment area. Rates at academic centers were compared to nonacademic centers.
Results: 8,597 thyroidectomies were performed at/near Department of Defense (DoD) hospitals supported by an otolaryngologist (3,594 at/near academic centers and 5,003 at/near nonacademic centers). Military surgeons performed 85% of available thyroidectomies at academic centers, versus 69% at nonacademic centers (p value less than 0.0001). 1,826 parathyroidectomies were performed at/near a DoD hospital supported by an otolaryngologist (813 at/near an academic center and 1,013 at/near a nonacademic center). Similar to thyroid surgery rates, military surgeons performed 81% of parathyroidectomies at academic centers, versus 66% at nonacademic centers (p value less than 0.0001).
Conclusions: While thyroid and parathyroid surgeries are preferentially performed at academic centers, general otolaryngologists continue to perform these surgeries at high volumes. The study supports their continued role as a vital component of an otolaryngologist's residency education and an expected competency on graduation.