Impact of Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery Experience in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Programs

Background

The impact of cleft and craniomaxillofacial (CCMF) surgeons on oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) resident training is not well known.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to measure the association between resident exposure to OMS faculty with CCMF surgery training, clinical experience, and scholarly activity.

Study Design, Setting, Sample

An anonymous survey of OMS residency directors in the United States, distributed electronically by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, was used to conduct a cross-sectional study. Survey consisted of 3 following sections: 1) CCMF surgery faculty and program-related information, 2) CCMF surgery curriculum in residency programs, and 3) academic productivity related to CCMF surgery.

Predictor Variable

Primary predictor variable was CCMF surgery exposure: presence or absence of an OMS faculty with CCMF surgery fellowship or equivalent.

Main Outcome Variable

Primary outcome variables were: 1) number of CCMF surgery cases with OMS resident involvement, 2) number of OMS residents who pursued CCMF surgery fellowship, and 3) CCMF-related academic productivity of faculty and residents by abstract or publication.

Covariates

Covariates include clinical experience of OMS residents in CCMF surgery cases and CCMF surgery-related academic productivity.

Analyses

Descriptive statistics and continuous/ordinal variables were summarized. Fisher exact and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were completed. 2-sided P values of <.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

There were 81 completed surveys (91% response rate; excluded military programs). Almost half of OMS training programs have at least one attending surgeon who completed a CCMF surgery fellowship (n = 36/81, 44.4%). OMS departments with a CCMF surgery-trained faculty performed more operations on patients with congenital craniofacial differences (P value <.001) and were more likely to publish at least one manuscript related to CCMF surgery in the last 5 years (P value = .029).

Conclusion and Relevance

Nearly half of OMS training programs have at least one attending surgeon who completed a CCMF surgery fellowship or equivalent. CCMF surgery faculty may increase opportunities for OMS resident involvement in caring for patients with congenital craniofacial differences. There is academic productivity in programs with CCMF surgeons. This should improve as the cohort of CCMF trained oral and maxillofacial surgeons increases.