The Evolving Presence of Skull Base Surgery across Otolaryngology Scientific Forums

Background: The quality, relevance, and breadth of scientific topics discussed at specialty conferences influence a society’s role in shaping and advancing various facets of a discipline. Multiple scientific forums exist for skull base surgery, an interdisciplinary field that frequently encompasses ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Skull base surgery has undergone a significant transformation in the last few decades. The engagement of otolaryngologists is essential for collaborative advancement in the future, particularly with the advent of endoscopic endonasal approaches.

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify scientific presentation trends of skull base surgery at otolaryngology national meetings over the last decade.

Methods: We reviewed print or electronic scientific programs from the American Rhinologic Society (ARS), American Head and Neck Society (AHNS), and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) conferences from 2008 to 2018. The percentage of oral presentations analyzing skull base techniques, pathology, outcomes, or practice patterns was recorded. Studies were categorized by topics, and subset analysis was performed.

Results: Skull base research presentations were most prevalent at the ARS in 2009 (28%) and have decreased to 4 to 16% in the last three years. Skull base content consistently represented less than 10% of the AHNS program with no skull base focused oral presentations in 3 of the past 10 years. At the AAO-HNS conferences, skull base content represented 3% to 9% of the scientific program. Most presentations constituted clinical research (96%). On subset analysis, most presentations discussed endoscopic endonasal outcomes or reconstruction with focus on both malignant and benign pathologies.

Conclusion: In the last decade, otolaryngologists have played an increasingly prominent role in skull base surgery, complementing the skill sets of their neurosurgery colleagues and the rest of the skull base team. However, the decreased presence of skull base content at otolaryngologic forums including the ARS, AHNS, and AAO-HNS is troubling. If our specialty does not provide venues to present this work, our colleagues will identify other friendly societies that are embracing this exciting and evolving field. Outside of the NASBS, otolaryngology scientific meetings must provide a more robust platform for skull base surgery research representative of the mounting otolaryngology involvement.