Three-Dimensional Printed Model of the Mediastinum for Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident Education

Mediastinoscopy remains an important component of lung cancer staging. The development of endobronchial ultrasonography has meant residents perform fewer mediastinoscopies. We hypothesized that a 3-dimensional printed model of the mediastinum would be an effective tool for teaching residents the anatomy and techniques for mediastinoscopy.

A color model of the mediastinum was 3-dimensionally printed based on segmented computed tomographic images. For 2 years, residents and attendings were asked to provide a skills assessment after every mediastinoscopy. During the second year, all residents received standardized instruction for mediastinoscopy using the 3-dimensional model. Skills assessments were compared between the residents taught with and without the 3-dimensional model.

There were 49 resident and 65 attending surveys completed. Residents taught with the 3-dimensional model were more likely to answer that they could identify normal anatomy "well"/"very well" compared with residents taught without the model (86% vs 52%, P = .015). Residents taught with the 3-dimensional model more frequently answered they were able to perform an uncomplicated mediastinoscopy "well"/ "very well" (59% vs 31%, P = .079) compared with residents taught without the 3-dimensional model, although this was not significant. Attendings were equally likely to answer "well"/"very well" that residents taught with the 3-dimensional model could identify normal anatomy (52% vs 55%, P > .99) and perform an uncomplicated mediastinoscopy (48% vs 43%, P = .79) compared with those taught without the model.

A 3-dimensional printed model of the mediastinum may be an effective tool for teaching mediastinoscopy.