Altered Airway Anatomy Course Using 3D-Printed Models for Medical Students

Many non-airway-trained personnel are uncomfortable managing altered airway anatomy (AAA), including tracheostomy and total laryngectomy (TL) patients. Significant morbidity and mortality have resulted from first responders' inability to stabilize the airway until expert airway providers arrive. All medical school graduates should demonstrate competency of this life-saving skill. Our hypothesis was hands-on interactive simulation using 3-dimensional (3D)-printed models would improve AAA knowledge and confidence.

Blinded, prospective cohort study.

The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

A novel curriculum was designed to teach all third-year medical students AAA fundamentals via case-based discussions, surgical videos, and hands-on student demonstration of competency by inserting a tracheostomy and endotracheal tube through 3D-printed tracheostoma models. Pre- and postcourse 5-item Likert scale surveys and AAA knowledge assessments were administered.

Students (n = 258) felt more comfortable with knowledge of AAA equipment (3.99 vs 1.38, P < .0001), ability to stabilize AAA patients until expert airway providers arrive (3.67 vs 1.37, P < .0001), and AAA overall (3.75 vs 1.49, P < .0001) postcourse vs precourse. AAA knowledge assessment scores improved from 34.3% precourse to 75.6% postcourse (P < .0001). Interestingly, 30.7% chose bag-mask ventilation over mouth and nose and/or transoral/transnasal intubation for a total laryngectomy patient precourse vs 5.5% postcourse (P < .0001). In total, 86.7% reported inadequate exposure to AAA in medical school and 98.4% found the course to be a valuable experience.

This hands-on course significantly increases medical student knowledge and comfort managing AAA patients. The course can be expanded to various trainees and providers to further promote AAA education and ultimately improve patient safety.