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A practical 3D printed simulator for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery to improve basic operational skills
Guodao Wen1, ZiXiang Cong1, KaiDong Liu1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
Summary
A novel 3D printed simulator effectively accelerates surgical training for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS). Trainees demonstrated significant skill improvement in drilling, curetting, and aspirating after using the simulator.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Simulation
- Surgical Education
Background:
- Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) requires extensive training.
- Accelerating the learning curve for EETS is crucial for patient safety and surgical proficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a practical three-dimensional (3D) printed simulator for EETS.
- To enhance surgeons' basic operational skills in drilling, curetting, and aspirating.
Main Methods:
- A three-part 3D printed simulator (skull frame, nasal passage/alar, modified sella turcica) was utilized.
- Eighteen neurosurgeons and five post-graduates underwent training on the simulator.
- Surgical performance was assessed through scoring of drilling, curetting, and aspirating tasks.
Main Results:
- Trainee scores significantly improved with progressive training, particularly by the tenth session.
- Expert surgeons consistently outperformed assistants, observers, and trainees.
- Trainee performance in curetting and aspirating by the tenth session surpassed that of assistants and observers.
Conclusions:
- The 3D printed simulator is a practical, simple, and low-cost tool for simulating EETS procedures.
- This simulator effectively improves basic endoscopic surgical skills.
- It offers a valuable method for accelerating the EETS learning curve.
