title: Evaluation of a temporal bone prototype by experts in otology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inexperienced otologists require training on the temporal bone drilling process, prior to any surgical activity. The shortage of cadaveric temporal bones exerts pressure to create realistic physical prototypes. This paper describes the evaluation by otology experts of a specially developed temporal bone resin model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computed tomography images were transformed into digital files, and anatomically identical right temporal bone models were created using stereolithography. These hand-painted resin prototypes were sent to 25 otologists, accompanied by a 20-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Satisfaction rate was 92 per cent. The overall prototype score was 48.87 out of 60. Average scores were: 12.63 out of 15 for anatomy-morphology, 6.98 out of 9 for quality of drilling, 16.74 out of 21 for identification of anatomical elements and 7.41 out of 9 for stages of drilling. Limitations of the model included an excessively vivid facial nerve colour and difficulty in identifying the posterior semicircular canal. Disadvantages related to the thickness of the resin and its residues were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prototype appears to provide an attractive solution to the shortage of cadaveric temporal bones. However, interest in the model for drilling technique training for inexperienced otologists has not yet been assessed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery,University Hospital of Tours,Tours,France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chenebaux
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery,University Hospital of Tours,Tours,France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lescanne
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery,University Hospital of Tours,Tours,France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robier
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery,University Hospital of Tours,Tours,France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Neck Surgery,University Hospital of Tours,Tours,France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bakhos
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*