Assessment of a novel patient-specific 3D printed multi-material simulator for endoscopic sinus surgery

Autor: Giulia Molinari, Nicolas Emiliani, Laura Cercenelli, Barbara Bortolani, Camilla Gironi, Ignacio Javier Fernandez, Livio Presutti, Emanuela Marcelli
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol 10 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2296-4185
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.974021
Popis: Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging tool in the creation of anatomical models for surgical training. Its use in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been limited because of the difficulty in replicating the anatomical details.Aim: To describe the development of a patient-specific 3D printed multi-material simulator for use in ESS, and to validate it as a training tool among a group of residents and experts in ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgery.Methods: Advanced material jetting 3D printing technology was used to produce both soft tissues and bony structures of the simulator to increase anatomical realism and tactile feedback of the model. A total of 3 ENT residents and 9 ENT specialists were recruited to perform both non-destructive tasks and ESS steps on the model. The anatomical fidelity and the usefulness of the simulator in ESS training were evaluated through specific questionnaires.Results: The tasks were accomplished by 100% of participants and the survey showed overall high scores both for anatomy fidelity and usefulness in training. Dacryocystorhinostomy, medial antrostomy, and turbinectomy were rated as accurately replicable on the simulator by 75% of participants. Positive scores were obtained also for ethmoidectomy and DRAF procedures, while the replication of sphenoidotomy received neutral ratings by half of the participants.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a 3D printed multi-material model of the sino-nasal anatomy can be generated with a high level of anatomical accuracy and haptic response. This technology has the potential to be useful in surgical training as an alternative or complementary tool to cadaveric dissection.
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