Are 3D-printed temporal bone models the future of otologic surgical training? A national multicentre validation study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: To validate a novel 3D-printed temporal bone model as an acceptable substitute for cadaveric human temporal bones in otosurgical training. Methods: A 3D-printed healthy temporal bone model was evaluated by 54 otosurgeons (27 experienced and 27 trainees) from Italian universities. Participants performed dissections on the model and completed a 27-question survey comparing the synthetic model with the cadaveric one. The primary outcome was the percentage of average total scores exceeding 3, with acceptability set at > 70%. Results: Overall, 80.9% (p < 0.001) of participants rated the model as comparable to the cadaveric temporal bone (average total score exceeding 3). High scores were observed for "usefulness as a training tool", "task-based usefulness" and "overall reactions" domains with an average total score exceeding 3 in 95.8% (p < 0.001), 83.2% (p < 0.001), and 79% (p = 0.004) of questionnaires respectively. No significant differences were found between experienced and trainee surgeons' evaluations. Conclusions: 3D-printed temporal bone models are a viable, cost-effective, and customisable training tool comparable to cadavers. The realism of the soft tissues still needs to be refined in order to better mimic cadaveric specimens.
Authors: Pietro Canzi, Ilaria Ottoboni, Stefania Marconi, Ferdinando Auricchio, Matteo Alicandri-Ciufelli, Paolo Aluffi Valletti, Michela Borin, Luca Bruschini, Andrea Canale, Elena Carlotto, Filippo Carta, Giuseppe Chiarella, Edoardo Covelli, Adelchi Croce, Stefano Di Girolamo, Francesco Dispenza, Salvatore Ferlito, Ignacio Javier Fernandez, Virginia Valeria Ferretti, Anna Rita Fetoni, Lorenzo Maria Gaini, Cosimo Galletti, Annalisa Gatto, Andrea Laborai, Enrico Liaci, Simone Mauramati, Antonia Pisani, Nicola Quaranta, Giampietro Ricci, Francesca Yoshie Russo, Bruno Sergi, Davide Soloperto, Michele Tomasoni, Elisabetta Zanoletti, Marco Benazzo
Institutions: University of Pavia, Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carita, University of Ferrara, University of Pisa, University of Turin, University of Cagliari, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Cagliari, Magna Graecia University, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Chieti-Pescara, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone" di Palermo, University of Palermo, University of Catania, IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, University of Bologna, University of Naples Federico II, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Messina, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore, University of Trieste, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Parma, Ospedale di Parma, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Santi Paolo e Carlo, University of Bari Aldo Moro, University of Perugia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia, University of Padua, Azienda Ospedale - Università Padova
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $323
OpenAlex ID: W7225073597