title: Development and validation of a septoplasty training model using 3-dimensional printing technology.
abstract: Providing alternative training modalities may improve trainees' ability to perform septoplasty. Three-dimensional printing has been shown to be a powerful tool in surgical training. The objectives of this study were to explain the development of our 3-dimensional (3D) printed septoplasty training model, to assess its face and content validity, and to present evidence supporting its ability to distinguish between levels of surgical proficiency.
  
  
  
  Imaging data of a patient with a nasal septal deviation was selected for printing. Printing materials reproducing the mechanical properties of human tissues were selected based on literature review and prototype testing. Eight expert rhinologists, 6 senior residents, and 6 junior residents performed endoscopic septoplasties on the model and completed a postsimulation survey. Performance metrics in quality (final product analysis), efficiency (time), and safety (eg, perforation length, nares damage) were recorded and analyzed in a study-blind manner.
  
  
  
  The model was judged to be anatomically correct and the steps performed realistic, with scores of 4.05 ± 0.82 and 4.2 ± 1, respectively, on a 5-point Likert scale. Ninety-two percent of residents desired the simulator to be integrated into their teaching curriculum. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the expert, intermediate, and novice groups in time taken and nares cuts, whereas other performance metrics showed no significant difference.
  
  
  
  To our knowledge, there are no other simulator training models for septoplasty. Our model incorporates 2 different materials mixed into the 3 relevant consistencies necessary to simulate septoplasty. Our findings provide evidence supporting the validity of the model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Mahmoud A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: AlReefi
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.|Center for Medical Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Lily H P
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Luc G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Mongeau
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Bassam Ul
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Haq
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Siddharth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boyanapalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Nauman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hafeez
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cegarra-Escolano
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marc A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tewfik
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D013663:Teaching
keywords: 3D printing; education; endoscopic; model; nasal septal deviation; rhinology; septoplasty; simulation; training; validation
  