Abstract
Background Collaboration has been shown to be beneficial when we have complex problems and highly
specialized groups, such as in head and neck reconstruction. Otolaryngology, plastic
surgery, and oral maxillofacial surgeons perform head and neck reconstruction research.
While the specialties represent unique backgrounds, the degree of interdisciplinary
collaboration and subtopic focus is unknown. We sought to describe the frequency of
interinstitutional interdisciplinary collaboration and examine the association of
specialty with research subtopics.
Methods Oral presentations from 2014 to 2018 focused on head and neck reconstruction or associated
principles at the main reconstructive academic meetings in otolaryngology (American
Head and Neck Society), plastic surgery (American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery),
and oral maxillofacial surgery (American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons)
were reviewed. Author specialty and institution data were recorded. All abstracts
were assigned a research subtopic, chosen based on identified themes. Subtopic frequencies
among the specialties were compared.
Results Thirteen of 88 (15%) US institutions participate in interdisciplinary collaboration
in head and neck reconstruction research. Of the remaining institutions, 23 (31%)
have researchers performing parallel work and not collaborating. Certain research
subtopics were more often presented by each specialty, representing differing interests.
Conclusion Collaboration among head and neck reconstruction research at the US institutions
is low compared with the potential. Specialties focus on different research subtopics,
and therefore can benefit from working together.
Keywords
microsurgery - reconstruction - collaboration - research - interdisciplinary
