Author(s)
Megha Chandna, BS
Sana Siddiqui, MD Dylan Bertoni, MD
Marah Sakkal, BA
Sara Belko, MS, BSE
Maurits Boon, MD
Joseph Spiegel, MD
Affiliation(s)
Thomas Jefferson Hospital; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; Thomas Jefferson University Health Design lab;
Abstract:
Background: There is increasing focus on the development of high-quality simulation models for medical education. Cadaveric models, although considered more realistic, may be difficult to obtain and costly. The advent of 3D printing has offered a low-cost, reliable, and reproducible alternative. This study sought to compare the utility of 3D-printed, open-source models to cadaveric models for training in transcutaneous medialization injection laryngoplasty.
Methods: A simulation course with a cross-over design was employed. Video laryngoscopes were utilized for both the 3D and cadaveric models to assess accuracy of injection into the vocal fold. Pre-procedure and post-procedure surveys were administered to evaluate understanding and comfort level on a Likert scale of 1-10. Each model was also rated on a 1-5 Likert scale for self-efficacy, fidelity and educational value to compare face and content validity.
Results: Pre- and post-survey data was completed by 15 otolaryngology residents and medical students. Mean pre-seminar understanding and comfort level were 3.7 and 2.2 respectively, compared to 6.9 and 5.9 (p < 0.05) following use of the 3D model and 6.4 and 4.7 (p < 0.05) following use of the cadaver model. When comparing 3D and cadaveric models, no significant differences were observed regarding self-efficacy, fidelity and educational value.
Conclusions: There was a similar mean increase in understanding and comfort following use of the 3D and cadaveric models. 3D-printing can provide an excellent adjunct to, and eventually a potential replacement for hands-on cadaveric training in medical education, particularly for transcutaneous injection laryngoplasty.