title: Teaching the pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty: The sticky note method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate a cost-effective, quick, and easily reproducible three-dimensional sticky note model to enhance the understanding and conceptualization of the geometry and steps of the pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method involves making specified incisions and rearrangements of readily available components, including disposable clear plastic cups, yellow and pink sticky notes, and white paper. Once assembly is complete, further incisions and remodeling are performed to simulate a pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cost of the materials to make one model was $0.94. Average construction time was less than 10 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This three-dimensional model is an efficient, interactive, and simple visual aid to teach surgical trainees the geometry and steps of the pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, 3550 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States.
authors.forename: Jake J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, 3550 Terrace St., Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, United States. Electronic address: jabbourn@chp.edu.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jabbour
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education; D010209:Paper; D010969:Plastics; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*; D055158:Velopharyngeal Sphincter / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics
keywords: Pharyngeal flap; Simulation; Sphincter pharyngoplasty; Surgical education; Velopharyngeal dysfunction; Velopharyngeal insufficiency