Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Surgical Training for the Implantation of Neocortical Microelectrode Arrays Using a Formaldehyde-fixed Human Cadaver Model
Published on: November 19, 2017
3-Dimensional Printed Model of the Temporal Bone for Neurosurgical Training
Amedeo Piazza1,2, Sergio Corvino3, Giulio Quarta Colosso4
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rome, Rome , Italy.
Background And Objectives:
The development of neurosurgical skills stands out as a paramount objective for neurosurgery residents during their formative years. Mastery of intricate and complex procedures is a time-intensive process marked by a gradually ascending learning curve. Consequently, the study and simulation on surgical models assume significant importance. One of the most intricate neuroanatomical regions includes the petrous and mastoid portions of the temporal bone. These regions host critical, highly functional, and vital neurovascular structures, including the facial nerve, cochlea, semicircular canals, internal carotid artery, and middle ear. This fully open-source 3-dimensional (3D) model of the temporal bone, created for educational purposes, should be easily and economically reproducible using a 3D printer, offering all residents the opportunity to understand the spatial location, three-dimensional anatomical structures, and fundamental intricacies of mastoidectomy.
Methods:
A 3D model of the temporal bone was fabricated using a computed tomography (CT) scan derived from an actual human body. The CT scan of the model was meticulously juxtaposed with the reference sample CT scan. Neurosurgical residents were recruited as participants for this study. Each participant was tasked with executing a mastoidectomy on 2 separate occasions, with a 2-week interval between attempts. Throughout these sessions, various parameters, including the time taken for task completion, the volume of bone removal, and any potential complications, were systematically registered.
Results:
The mean volume of bone removed increased by 34.5%, and the mean task time and the mean number of complications decreased by 10.3% and 25%, respectively, during the training.
Conclusion:
Engaging in training with cost-effective anatomical models constitutes a valuable tool for refining technical skills during residency. We posit that this type of model training should be incorporated as part of the trainee's curriculum during the residency program because of the myriad advantages evidenced by the findings of this study.
