Implementation of a Program for Surgical Education in Laryngology

Objectives: To describe the implementation of a program for surgical education in laryngology. Methods: Items necessary to modify a temporal bone lab for laryngeal dissection purposes were identified, and costs to do so were calculated. The prices and availability of human and canine laryngeal specimens to be used for teaching purposes were then compared. Endoscopic and open laryngeal surgery were performed on canine larynges to determine suitability as a teaching model. A laryngeal dissection course with teaching objectives was created and instituted in an Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency training program. Results: Modifications to convert an existing temporal bone lab into a laryngeal dissection lab cost $7,425. Canine larynges were found to strongly resemble human larynges and were easily used in a teaching model. They were more easily acquired and less expensive than human larynges. A novel dissection approach was created to maximize utility of a single cadaveric laryngeal specimen. Development of a laryngeal dissection manual facilitated a laryngeal dissection course. Conclusions: A laryngeal dissection educational course can be instituted with simple and relatively inexpensive modifications to an existing temporal bone laboratory Canine larynges can be substituted for human larynges for a substantial cost savings without educational compromise. The educational methods demonstrated can be easily duplicated at other training sites.