Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38658934›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2024

Integration of 3D-printed middle ear models and middle ear prostheses in otosurgical training.

Sini Lähde, Yasmin Hirsi, Mika Salmi, Antti Mäkitie, Saku T Sinkkonen

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed
8.1field-weighted citation impact, top 2% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 14 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Trial
  2. Evaluating the Efficacy of a Novel Multimaterial 3D-Printed Phantom for Otologic Surgical Education and Simulation.Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology · 2026
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  8. The SAPIENS 3D-printed temporal bone model: a real tool for advanced otologic surgery education.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Sini LähdeDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center Tauno Palva Laboratory, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Yasmin HirsiDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center Tauno Palva Laboratory, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Mika SalmiDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland.
Antti MäkitieDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center Tauno Palva Laboratory, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Saku T SinkkonenDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Head and Neck Center Tauno Palva Laboratory, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. saku.sinkkonen@hus.fi.
University of Helsinki · FIAalto University · FI

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn otosurgical training, cadaveric temporal bones are primarily used to provide a realistic tactile experience. However, using cadaveric temporal bones is challenging due to their limited availability, high cost, and potential for infection. Utilizing current three-dimensional (3D) technologies could overcome the limitations associated with cadaveric bones. This study focused on how a 3D-printed middle ear model can be used in otosurgical training.

methodsA cadaveric temporal bone was imaged using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to generate a 3D model of the middle ear. The final model was printed from transparent photopolymers using a laser-based 3D printer (vat photopolymerization), yielding a 3D-printed phantom of the external ear canal and middle ear. The feasibility of this phantom for otosurgical training was evaluated through an ossiculoplasty simulation involving ten otosurgeons and ten otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) residents. The participants were tasked with drilling, scooping, and placing a 3D-printed partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP). Following the simulation, a questionnaire was used to collect the participants' opinions and feedback.

resultsA transparent photopolymer was deemed suitable for both the middle ear phantom and PORP. The printing procedure was precise, and the anatomical landmarks were recognizable. Based on the evaluations, the phantom had realistic maneuverability, although the haptic feedback during drilling and scooping received some criticism from ORL-HNS residents. Both otosurgeons and ORL-HNS residents were optimistic about the application of these 3D-printed models as training tools.

conclusionsThe 3D-printed middle ear phantom and PORP used in this study can be used for low-threshold training in the future. The integration of 3D-printed models in conventional otosurgical training holds significant promise.

Indexed as

CadaverEar, MiddleModels, AnatomicPrinting, Three-DimensionalTemporal BoneHumansInternship and ResidencyOssicular ProsthesisOtolaryngologyOtologic Surgical ProceduresSimulation TrainingX-Ray Microtomography3D printingMiddle earOssiclesOssiculoplastyPORPTemporal bone

Identifiers

PMID38658934
PMCPMC11044351
OpenAlexW4395072768

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.