Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Michael J. Bolesta, M.D.
Department: Orthopaedic Surgery
Room number: WA4.328
Mail Code: 8883
Phone number: 214-645-3348
E-mail: michael.bolesta@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Incidence and Prevalence of Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Surgery for Degenerative Disease

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 062008-045

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type: patient-based research

Brief Description of Project:

This study will consist of a retrospective chart review, and prospective follow-up questionnaires and telephone surveys from ACDF and lumbar patients to assess the incidence, prevalence and severity of post-operative dysphagia. The Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) will be used to determine the presence and severity of dysphagia in study subjects after surgery. Incidence of dysphagia will be assessed as a percentage of the sampled patients. Comparisons will be made to the control group, which is expected to have little to no incidence of dysphagia. Data detailing patient characteristics, such as age and sex, will be collected to determine possible risk factors. A maximum of 50 local subjects will be consented. Equal number of age and sex matched control subjects will be consented. Charts and records of subjects who have given consent will be used. A maximum of 50 will be reviewed. Maximum of 100 total subjects will be included (50 subjects & 50 controls). Study will conclude within one year. Since this is a retrospective study, research personnel did not obtain patient consent to be contacted at the time of the surgical procedure. Initial contact must be made by phone to determine consent.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

A comparison of film and computer workstation measurements of degenerative spondylolisthesis: intra-observer and inter-observer reliability, submitted to journal Spine, work done with Lauren Winslow, class 2010

Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis at the Parkland Health and Hospital System, poster at student research day 2009, work done with Michael Mathews, class of 2011

Student role: The students will contact patients by mail or by telephone to obtain the clinical outcome data (using the SSQ). The students will collect the data and enter into spreadsheets for analysis by the statistician. After the statistical analysis, it will be expected that the student will write an abstract for the research forum. Preparation of a manuscript for publication will be encouraged