Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2012
Validated assessment tools for pediatric airway endoscopy simulation.
To determine the interrater reliability and construct validity of 3 separate assessment tools for assessing trainee skills in pediatric airway endoscopy simulation. ⋯ An Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) was developed in which examinees were asked to name and assemble the airway foreign body instruments and retrieve a foreign body from an infant airway mannequin. Each examinee's performance was assessed in a blinded fashion by 3 pediatric otolaryngology faculty at separate residency programs using 3 assessment tools: (1) objective quantifiable measures list (eg, assists needed, forceps openings, foreign body drops), (2) 15-point OSATS checklist, and (3) Global Rating Index for Technical Skills (GRITS). Setting Otolaryngology residency program. Subjects Examinees (medical students, n = 3; otolaryngology residents, n = 17; pediatric otolaryngology faculty, n = 3) and raters (n = 3). Main Outcome Measures Interrater reliability and construct validity. Results Anonymized split-screen videos simultaneously capturing each examinee's instrument handling and the endoscopic videos were created for all 23 examinees. Nineteen videos were chosen for review by 3 raters. The interrater reliability as measured by the intraclass correlation for objective quantifiable measures ranged from 0.46 to 0.98. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for the 15-point OSATS checklist and 0.95 for the GRITS; both showed a high degree of construct validity with scores correlating with previous experience. Conclusion Assessment tools for skills assessments must have high interrater reliability and construct validity. When assessing trainee skills in pediatric airway foreign body scenarios, the 15-point OSATS checklist developed by this group or the GRITS meets these criteria.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2012
Massive flap donor sites and the role of negative pressure wound therapy.
Report our experience with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied to massive scapular and latissimus free flap donor sites, in the setting of microvascular reconstruction for extensive head and neck defects. ⋯ This is the first study to examine NPWT in the postoperative treatment of closed high-tension wounds following scapular or latissimus dorsi harvest for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. Our results suggest that NPWT is a safe technique in the management of massive scapular and latissimus free flap harvest sites that may decrease associated major donor wound complications.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Dec 2012
Characteristics and trends in ambulatory otolaryngology visits and practices.
To determine characteristics and trends for outpatient otolaryngology visits and practices in the United States. ⋯ Characteristics of otolaryngology outpatient visits have remained largely consistent over the past 5 years. Electronic medical record penetration has noticeably increased. These results help validate prior Academy socioeconomic surveys.