Historical patterns in presentations at the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO): using a searchable database of the ASPO Program to show the trends of an otolaryngology subspecialty.

Objectives: To describe the development of American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO). To utilize a searchable database of meeting programs to demonstrate content presented at a major meeting since its inception. To utilize a searchable database of meeting programs to show trends of pediatric otolaryngology.

Methods: Programs of ASPO meetings from 1986 to 2011 were reviewed using a searchable database. Number of podium presentations and length of podium presentations per meeting were collected. Podium presentations were placed into broad categories from reviewing presentation title. Broad categories included tonsils and adenoid, otology, airway, head and neck masses, and sinus disease. First author, location of first author, length of presentation, and publication status were collected for each podium presentation.

Results: An average of 49 (range 31-76) podium presentations were presented at each meeting. The average length of podium presentation was 8.3 min (range of 5-20 min). Tonsil and adenoids made up 9% (range 0-22%) of the program, otology made up 26% (range 15-44%) of the program, airway made up 34% (18-48%) the program, head and neck masses made up 8.7% (0-18.5%) of the program, sinus disease made up 6.2% (0-23%) of the program. Fifty-four percent (54%) of podium presentations were published.

Conclusion: This is a unique example of utilizing searchable databases constructed from published programs of a major otolaryngology meeting to assess topics presented and areas of emphasis. The areas of emphasis at ASPO over its 26 years are airway, otology, tonsil and adenoid issues, head and neck masses, and sinus disease in the pediatric population. Percent of time given to each topic has changed from ASPO's beginning to today.