In-Practice Endocrine Surgery Fellowship: A Novel Training Model

Abstract

Objective Endocrine surgery is an expanding field within otolaryngology. We hypothesized that a novel endocrine surgery fellowship model for in-practice otolaryngologists could result in expert-level training. Study Design Qualitative clinical study with chart review. Setting Urban community practice and academic medical center. Methods Two board-certified general otolaryngologists collaborated with a senior endocrine surgeon to increase their endocrine surgery expertise between March 2015 and December 2017. The senior surgeon provided intensive surgical training to both surgeons for all of their endocrine surgeries. Both parties collaborated with endocrinology to coordinate medical care and receive referrals. All patients undergoing endocrine surgery during this time frame were reviewed retrospectively. Results A total of 235 endocrine surgeries were performed. Of these, 198 thyroid surgeries were performed, including 98 total thyroidectomies (48%), 90 lobectomies (45%), and 10 completion thyroidectomies (5%). Sixty cases demonstrated papillary thyroid carcinoma, 11 follicular thyroid carcinoma, and 4 medullary thyroid carcinoma. Neck dissections were performed in 14 of the cases. Thirty-seven parathyroid explorations were performed. There were no reports of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Thirteen patients (5.5%) developed temporary hypoparathyroidism. Six patients (2.5%) developed postoperative seroma. Three patients (1.3%) developed postoperative hematomas requiring reoperation. One patient (0.4%) developed permanent vocal fold paralysis, and 3 patients (1.3%) had temporary dysphonia. Thirty-five of 37 (94.5%) parathyroid explorations resulted in biochemical resolution of the patient’s primary hyperparathyroidism. Conclusion This is the first description of a new fellowship paradigm where a senior surgeon provides fellowship training to attending surgeons already in practice.