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10/10/2015  |   9:45 AM - 11:00 AM   |  Andrew Foster Auditorium

Otologic surgery training in a rural Ethiopian community

Otologic surgery in a rural Ethiopian community Abstract Introduction: although many people need ear surgery on the African continent, there is little otologic activity there. Therefore, opportunities for otologic surgery training are sparse. We present a model for ear surgery in Ethiopia which fosters local surgeons through monitored operating sessions. Hypotheses: 1. Responsible and effective otologic surgery, performed by local surgeons, is attainable in a rural setting. 2. Concentrated otologic surgical camps provide otologic training for local health care professionals. Results: 1. A total of 137 otologic surgeries were performed during 4 weeklong surgical camps at a rural hospital in Butajira, Ethiopia. Two used microscopes, used ear instruments, and 2 new ear drills had been donated. Most patients had large, central perforations. Ninety percent of the operations were under local anesthesia. Twenty-six patients returned for follow-up testing. There were no complications of surgery. Eighty-three percent of perforations closed completely. Sixty-nine percent had improved hearing levels. Five of 6 ossiculoplasties had improved hearing (83%). 2. A total of 9 Ethiopian ENT surgeons performed these operations supervised by a visiting US otologist. The three senior-most doctors had completed accredited residencies abroad but had lacked hands-on otologic surgical training. The remaining 6 were ENT residents or recent graduates who had never operated. Surgical experience and proficiency was evaluated and graded at the end of the week. All 3 senior Ethiopian doctors and 1 of the 6 recent residents returned to their local sites and now perform otologic surgery there. Conclusion: Otologic surgery can be performed safely and effectively in a rural setting. This helps the patients and increases the confidence and effectiveness of the local surgeons. In addition, these operations provide operative experience for surgical training.

• Outcomes of otologic surgery in rural Ethiopia are acceptable.
• Otologic operations, assisted by foreigners, can focus on training.
• Local surgeons gain confidence after monitored operating sessions.

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Miriam Redleaf (POC,Primary Presenter), University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, mredleaf@uic.edu;
Dr. Redleaf completed residency in Otolaryngology and fellowship in Neurotology at The University of Iowa. She the Louis J. Mayer Professor of Otology/Neurotology at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.