Multicenter Advanced Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Prep Surgical Simulation Course with 3D Printed High‐Fidelity Models

Abstract

Objective To assess the effect of 3-dimensional (3D)–printed surgical simulators used in an advanced pediatric otolaryngology fellowship preparatory course on trainee education. Study Design Quasi-experimental pre/postsurvey. Setting Multicenter collaborative course conducted at a contract research organization prior to a national conference. Subjects and Methods A 5-station, 7-simulator prep course was piloted for 9 pediatric otolaryngology fellows and 17 otolaryngology senior residents, with simulators for airway graft carving, microtia ear framework carving, and cleft lip/palate repair. Prior to the course, trainees were provided educational materials electronically along with presurveys rating confidence, expertise, and attitude around surgical simulators. In October 2018, surgeons engaged in simulation stations with direction from 2 attending faculty per station, then completed postsurveys for each simulator. Results Statistically significant increases ( P < .05) in self-reported confidence (average, 53%; range, 18%-80%) and expertise (average, 68%; range, 9%-95%) were seen across all simulators, corresponding to medium to large effect sizes as measured by Cohen’s d statistic (0.41-1.71). Positive attitudes around 3D printing in surgical education also demonstrated statistically significant increases (average, 10%; range, 8%-13%). Trainees commented positively on gaining such broad exposure, although consistently indicated a preference for more practice time during the course. Conclusion We demonstrate the benefit of high-fidelity, 3D-printed simulators in exposing trainees to advanced procedures, allowing them hands-on practice in a zero-risk environment. In the future, we hope to refine this course design, develop standardized tools to assess their educational value, and explore opportunities for integration into use in milestone assessment and accreditation.

Contemporary Management of Microtia

“…procedures, including microtia rib cartilage carving. 22 Pre and post training surveys showed a statistically significant increase in self-rated expertise for graft design, carving, assembly.…”

3D printing in surgical simulation: emphasized importance in the COVID-19 pandemic era

“…Our library of surgical simulators initially focused on the head and neck surgical fields has expanded through collaborations with experts in the fields of oral maxillofacial surgery, pediatric surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and nonmedical arenas such as our institution’s School of Music. Examples of high fidelity simulators we have developed include airway reconstruction, cleft palates, cleft lips, ear reconstruction and facial flaps, with the number of procedures having grown such that we are now organizing 3D-printed simulator dissection courses [ 15 ].…”

Patient Safety/Quality Improvement Primer, Part III: The Role of Simulation

“…5 A diverse assortment of simulators is available to otolaryngologists, several of which are presented in Table 1. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Evolving technology allowed the development of simulators with physiologic responses; motion, force, or eye-tracking sensors on participants or simulators; and fabrication techniques, such as 3-dimensional printing, 12,13 which enable the creation of patient-specific anatomic models. [14][15][16] Simulators do not have to be expensive; some have been created from gelatin, silicone, plastic tubes, and rubber bands or other inexpensive materials found in offices and clinics (Figure 2).…”