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Design, Development, and Evaluation of a 3D-Printed Buccal Myomucosal Flap Simulator
Mitchell D Cin1, Zahra Nourmohammadi2,3, Usama Hamdan4
1Medical School, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.
Summary
A new low-cost surgical simulator for buccal myomucosal flap procedures was developed and validated. This high-fidelity tool offers a zero-risk environment for surgeons to practice cleft and craniofacial techniques.
Area of Science:
- Surgical simulation
- Medical education technology
- Craniofacial surgery
Background:
- Buccal myomucosal flap procedures are essential in cleft surgery.
- Mastering these techniques is challenging due to limited training opportunities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, develop, and evaluate a low-cost, high-fidelity buccal myomucosal flap surgical simulator.
- To establish a validated teaching tool for novice surgeons in craniofacial procedures.
Main Methods:
- A simulator was created using computer-aided design, 3D printing for hard tissues, and silicone casting for soft tissues.
- Sixteen craniofacial surgery providers assessed the simulator using a 1-5 Likert scale across six domains.
- An in-person simulated dissection session was conducted.
Main Results:
- The simulator achieved scores ranging from 3.77 to 4.31 across evaluation domains.
- It was rated highly as a training tool (4.31) and relevant to practice (3.93).
Conclusions:
- The validated simulator provides a zero-risk environment for acquiring buccal myomucosal flap surgical skills.
- Integration into structured curricula can enhance training accessibility for cleft and craniofacial procedures.
