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Study Identifies the 21 Most Influential Papers in Laryngology Since 2000

by Linda Kossoff •

What have been the most influential publications in laryngology since 2000?

BOTTOM LINE

Since 2000, there have been 21 particularly influential laryngology papers that have focused further research, provided perspective on advances in the field, and served as educational resources for trainees and practicing physicians.

BACKGROUND: Post-residency fellowship training in laryngology in the U.S. began in 1992, leading to marked growth in laryngology scholarship and the publication of many influential papers over the past two decades. Other fields, including otolaryngology, have identified their most notable papers using citation analysis and/or expert consensus, but laryngology has not done so.

COMMENT: This is a provocative list of what we thought was important in the field over the past 20 years. The field has changed! —Al L. Merati, MD

STUDY DESIGN: Modified Delphi process.

SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers worked with 16 expert laryngologists drawn from editors of leading journals, organization officers, and thought leaders to identify 20 of the most influential papers published since 2000 using three sequential rounds of participant surveys. “Influential” was defined as yielding meaningful practice changes, catalyzing further work as a foundation for an important topic, altering traditional views, or demonstrating durability over time. Each participant ultimately made their own top 20 choices. Of the final studies, one was chosen by all 16 participants (“The study of laryngeal muscle activity in normal human subjects and in patients with laryngeal dystonia using multiple fine-wire electromyography”) and three were chosen by 50%, with the rest falling in between. Most of the papers originated in the U.S. and were published in Laryngoscope. There were four areas of laryngology into which the chosen articles fell: voice, airway, swallowing, and/or cancer. All papers were clinically oriented, but some themes within the categories included quality of care, patient-reported measures, and office-based procedures. Researchers noted that selections indicated article influence on how laryngologists care for their patients and think of conditions they treat. Study limitations included the potential effect of participants’ focus on the variety of papers included.

CITATION: Ryan MA, Brodsky MB, Blumin JH, et al. Twenty-One for 2021: The Most Influential Papers in Laryngology Since 2000 [published online ahead of print July 28, 2021]. Laryngoscope. doi:10.1002/lary.29781.