Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39944447›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Trainee-Reported Outcomes of Otology Simulation Training: Examining Effectiveness of the VOXEL-MAN Temporal Bone Simulator as a Training Adjunct in Mastoid Surgery.

Lauren Bolton, Emma Gill, Savan Shah, Jaydip Ray, Gaurav Chawdhary

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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.

Lauren BoltonENT, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, GBR.
Emma GillGeneral Surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, NZL.
Savan ShahENT, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, GBR.
Jaydip RayENT, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, GBR.
Gaurav ChawdharyENT, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, GBR.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMastoid surgery is technically challenging with complex three-dimensional (3D) anatomy. With reduced access to traditional training methods and increasing new technologies available, virtual reality simulation is being evaluated in a regional training program as an adjunct to existing training structures.

methodsTwenty higher surgical trainees were instructed to complete a cortical mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy on a VOXEL-MAN simulator (VOXEL-MAN, Hamburg, Germany). A pre- and post-session questionnaire was completed.

resultsThe visual analogue score for familiarity with the temporal bone 3D anatomy, cortical mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy surgical landmarks increased by 1.8 cm (p<0.0001), 1.4 cm (p<0.0001) and 2.2 cm (p<0.0001), respectively. Thirty percent of trainees felt that they had received adequate otology exposure within the last two years; 20% felt they would acquire enough experience to become a consultant otologist.

conclusionThe VOXEL-MAN temporal bone simulator is effective in improving perceived anatomical and surgical knowledge and trainee confidence. Incorporating it into training programmes can help trainees compensate for the impact of the pandemic.

Indexed as

coronavirusmedical educationmiddle ear surgerypostgraduate educationtraining

Identifiers

PMID39944447
PMCPMC11815529

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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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.