Training for Skull Base Surgery with a Colored Temporal Bone Model Created by Three-Dimensional Printing Technology
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Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Multicolor 3D Printing of Complex Intracranial Tumors in Neurosurgery
Published on: January 11, 2020
Masahiko Wanibuchi1, Shouhei Noshiro1, Toshiya Sugino1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
Objective:
A 3-dimensional temporal bone model for skull base surgical training was reconstructed via the use of a selective laser sintering technique, which is one of the 3-dimensional printing technologies.
Methods:
The temporal bone model was created in 2 pieces to remove powder material in the mastoid air cells and to place dye into the semicircular canal and the Fallopian canal.
Results:
The powder material was minimal, and the decisive structures were identified in color.
Conclusions:
This artificial model will pave the way to a "new era" in surgical training and medical education.

