Implementation of an Optimized Preoperative Checklist for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Within a Multiinstitutional...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging is crucial for planning endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).
• Trainees can benefit from a structured approach to reviewing sinus CT scans.
• An optimized preoperative checklist for sinus CT imaging was previously developed using a modified Delphi method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an optimized preoperative checklist for otolaryngology residents performing ESS.
• To assess the impact of a curriculum intervention on residents' utilization of a systematic preoperative CT imaging checklist.

Main Methods:

• Otolaryngology residents across 5 New York metro area training programs participated.
• The intervention included a preintervention questionnaire with a sinus CT anatomy quiz, an 18-minute educational video on the checklist, and a delayed postintervention questionnaire with a distinct quiz.
• Data were collected using Qualtrics.

Main Results:

• Seventy-four residents completed the preintervention questionnaire, 47 completed the postintervention questionnaire, and 36 completed both.
• Average quiz scores improved significantly from 136.8 ± 24.0 preintervention to 156.0 ± 23.5 postintervention (P < .001).
• Habitual utilization of a systematic preoperative CT imaging checklist increased from 21.6% to 72.9% post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• An educational program using an optimized preoperative checklist for ESS enhances trainees' ability to identify critical sinus CT structures.
• Integrating checklists and educational curricula can improve rhinology education.
• This approach may lead to improved surgical anatomy competency in trainees.