Using simulators to teach pediatric airway procedures in an international setting

There has been a growing shift towards endoscopic management of laryngeal procedures in pediatric otolaryngology. There still appears to be a shortage of pediatric otolaryngology programs and children's hospitals worldwide where physicians can learn and practice these skills. Laryngeal simulation models have the potential to be part of the educational training of physicians who lack exposure to relatively uncommon pediatric otolaryngologic pathology.

The objective of this study was to assess the utility of pediatric laryngeal models to teach laryngeal pathology to physicians at an international meeting.

Pediatric laryngeal models were assessed by participants at an international pediatric otolaryngology meeting. Participants provided demographic information and previous experience with pediatric airways. Participants then performed simulated surgery on these models and evaluated them using both a previously validated Tissue Likeness Scale and a pre-simulation to post-simulation confidence scale.

Participants reported significant subjective improvement in confidence level after use of the simulation models (p < 0.05). Participants reported realistic representations of human anatomy and pathology. The models' tissue mechanics were adequate to practice operative technique including the ability to incise, suture, and suspend models.

The pediatric laryngeal models demonstrate high quality anatomy, which is easy manipulated with surgical instruments. These models allow both trainees and surgeons to practice time-sensitive airway surgeries in a safe and controlled environment.