Otolaryngology resident experience with supraclavicular, submental and other regional flaps in the United States

Objective: Despite the resurgence in regional flap use, otolaryngology resident regional flap experience has been incompletely studied. We sought to characterize United States (US) otolaryngology resident exposure to, and perceptions of, supraclavicular flaps (SCFs), submental flaps (SMFs), and other regional flaps. Methods: An online survey was disseminated every two weeks to 106 US otolaryngology residency program directors for distribution to residents within their programs between August and October 2016. 121 surveys were returned of which 106 were sufficiently completed and eligible for data analysis. Results: Among residents with adequate responses, 52 were postgraduate year (PGY) 1–3 (junior) residents and 54 were PGY 4–7 (senior) residents. Senior residents participated in more pectoralis major flaps (mean: 8.1, 95%-CI: 6.5–9.8) compared to SCFs (mean: 1.5, 95%-CI: 1.0–2.0, p < 0.001) and SMFs (mean: 0.7; 95%-CI: 0.4–1.0, p < 0.001). Among senior residents exposed to SCFs, SMFs and pectoralis flaps, more individuals judged pectoralis major flaps as successful or very successful (96.2%, 95%-CI: 91.1–100%), compared to SCFs (64.3%, 95%-CI: 46.5–82.0%; p < 0.001) and SMFs (63.2%, 95%-CI: 41.5–84.8%; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Senior otolaryngology residents were exposed to fewer SCFs and SMFs compared to pectoralis major flaps. Resident perception that SCFs and SMFs were not as successful as pectoralis major flaps should be investigated further.