Otosclerosis surgery in a resident training program

Controversy exists regarding the appropriateness of offering all residents training in stapes surgery due to dwindling case loads in residency programs nationally. A recent study indicated poorer results for stapes surgery performed by residents than results obtained by practicing otologists. One hundred consecutive stapedectomies performed by residents over a three-year period at our institution were reviewed retrospectively, with the objective of determining whether these results should be generalized.