FACIAL-NERVE MONITORING AMONG GRADUATES OF THE EAR RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of facial nerve m onitoring among graduates of an otology fellowship in which monitoring is emphasized throughout training. Study Design: This study invovled a questionnaire administered to graduates of the Ear Research Foundati on, Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A. (otology/neurotology fellowship). Settin g: The study was performed in academic and private practices of survey ed physicians. Main Outcome Measures: These included patterns of facia l nerve monitor use and surgical results after facial nerve injuries. Results: Nearly 100% of the graduates of the Ear Research Foundation c ontinue to use facial nerve monitoring routinely in otologic surgery. Five cases of facial nerve injury in surgery for long term disease wer e reported for all 15 neurotologists surveyed. Conclusion: Routine fac ial nerve monitoring is not considered the standard of care in most co mmunities; however risk of facial nerve injury appears to be greatly r educed when this adjunctive technique is employed.