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Building an Accessible, Low-Cost Cortical Mastoidectomy Trainer: A Technical Report
Tanner J Jefferies1, Mark K Lavigne2
1Surgery, Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lillington, USA.
Cureus
|December 23, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a low-cost, accessible mastoidectomy trainer for otolaryngology education. The model aids in developing essential microsurgical skills, particularly for cortical mastoidectomy, in resource-limited settings.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Otolaryngology
- Medical Simulation
Background:
- Simulation-based training is crucial for developing otolaryngology microsurgical skills.
- High costs and limited availability of traditional training models (cadavers, temporal bones) hinder otologic technique education.
- Cortical mastoidectomy training faces significant accessibility barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and construct an affordable, low-cost mastoidectomy trainer.
- To provide an accessible resource for early surgical education in otologic procedures.
- To overcome barriers in training essential otologic techniques.
Main Methods:
- Assembled a trainer using readily available materials: wooden craft ring, Styrofoam disk, colored pipe cleaners.
- Represented critical anatomical structures (tegmen plate, sigmoid sinus) with pipe cleaners.
- Designed for quick assembly (<20 minutes) without specialized tools.
Main Results:
- The trainer costs approximately $27 USD per unit.
- Provides a stable platform for practicing drilling, spatial orientation, and anatomical landmark identification (McEwen's triangle).
- Demonstrates ease of construction and reproducibility.
Conclusions:
- The low-cost mastoidectomy trainer is a practical introductory resource for otologic surgical education.
- Enhances accessibility to foundational training in medical schools and residency programs.
- Suitable for low-resource training environments globally.
