Reviewing surgical training is an important function of a modern ENT unit, even more so following recent reform of postgraduate
medical training in the UK. We have developed a tool to review otology training of Eastern Deanery trainees by constructing
a middle ear surgery data base and use a commonly performed procedure, myringoplasty, to illustrate its function. Three hundred
and ninety-three myringoplasty operations were identified between March 2002 and March 2006, of which 307 were included in
this study as having had a myringoplasty alone uncomplicated by another middle ear procedure. Perforation closure was successful
in 83% of these cases with 90% of patients experiencing a beneficial outcome regardless of supervision level. Trainees at
all stages of training are being exposed to myringoplasty with an adequate de-escalation of supervision. Myringoplasty outcomes
are independent of seniority, if appropriately supervised, implying that otology training in the Eastern Deanery is appropriate.
Keywords Complications - Education - Myringoplasty - Outcome assessment - Standards - Training techniques - Tympanoplasty