Is training in endoscopic sinus surgery detrimental to patient outcome?

Abstract

Objective: To identify whether training in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is detrimental to patient outcome.

Materials and methods: Prospective evaluation of SinoNasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22) scores for all patients undergoing ESS. Comparison between the outcome scores of patients operated on by the established endoscopic sinus surgeon with outcome scores of patient operated on by the supervised trainee.

Results: Patients operated on by the supervised trainee did not have poorer outcome scores than patients operated on by the established endoscopic surgeon.

Conclusions: Training in endoscopic sinus surgery is not detrimental to patient outcome when assessing symptom resolution, assuming that the training is closely supervised and that the trainee complies with a structured training program.