Table 2 Assessment of general features and performance of the latest model version in simulating various surgical procedures
From: Developing a production workflow for 3D-printed temporal bone surgical simulators
Domain | Assessment |
|---|---|
General features of model | The model has generally satisfactory detail, colour and performance on high-speed drilling compared to normal temporal bone in most of its key regions of anatomy, including the mastoid air cells, tympanic cavity, facial nerve canal, cochlear, semicircular canals. |
Limitations of the model include fixation of the ossicular chain, presence of support struts in the tympanic cavity, absence of depiction of the intra-osseous course of the chorda tympani nerve. | |
Surgical procedure performed on model | |
Tympanomeatal flap elevation | Satisfactory |
Mastoidectomy | Satisfactory |
Facial recess dissection | Mostly satisfactory, the intra-osseous course of the chorda tympani nerve was not depicted on the model. |
Round window dissection | Satisfactory. It was necessary to recognise the structure demarcating the round window as non-anatomical. |
Stapedotomy | Mostly satisfactory, the ossicular chain was not mobile but the oval window was able to be accessed and a simulated piston placed. It was necessary to recognise support structures as non-anatomical. |
Cochlear implant (CI) surgery via cochleostomy | Satisfactory |