Does microscopic experience influence learning curve in endoscopic ear surgery? A multicentric study.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study was to illustrate the learning curve of endoscopic type-1 tympanoplasty comparing experts in microscopic otology versus neophyte surgeons. Methods Eight ear surgeons, from tertiary referral centers, who had performed at least 30 endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasties were included in the study. Demographic data and medical records regarding the first 30 endoscopic type-1 tympanoplasties were retrospectively collected by each surgeon. A 14-questions survey focused on subjective aspects of the learning curve was administered. Surgeons were divided in two groups: one with previous experience in microscopic ear surgery (group 1) and one with no previous experience in ear surgery (group 2). The learning curve of endoscopic type 1 tympanoplasty was compared between the groups. Results Mean surgical time was 89.2 min in group 1 vs. 79.5 min in group 2 (p  Conclusions Surgeon's previous experience may influence the EES learning curve. Our results show that the first 5 surgical procedures are more challenging for surgeons experienced in microscopic surgery, subsequently the curve progression improves sharply and appears reversing the initial trend by the end of the 30 surgeries.