Skill Transfer From 3D-Printed Temporal Bone Training to Cadaveric Mastoidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
In brief
A 2-hour 3D-printed bone session raised novice mastoidectomy scores by 4 points
In a randomized trial of 30 novice otolaryngology residents, those who practiced on a 3D-printed temporal bone model scored 4.16 points higher on a cadaveric mastoidectomy assessment than residents given theoretical instruction. The small study suggests simulation can improve early technical performance, but whether the gains extend to other procedures or clinical practice remains unknown.
- Journal
- Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology (Q1)
- Published
- 30 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Santiago L Vallejos Riart, Francisco Marques da Silva Neto, Robinson Koji Tsuji, Ricardo Ferreira Bento
- PMID
- 42813381
- DOI
- 10.1097/MAO.0000000000005074
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Otorhinolaryngology (top studies of the week, 4 October 2026): 3D‑printed temporal bone training RCT, otology education
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether structured precadaveric simulation training using a 3D-printed temporal bone model improves mastoidectomy performance during cadaveric dissection among novice otolaryngology residents. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Temporal bone laboratory of a tertiary academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty otolaryngology residents without prior mastoidectomy experience. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group completed a 2-hour structured simulation session using a 3D-printed temporal bone model (Auris-Otobone) before cadaveric dissection, whereas the control group received standard theoretical instruction. All residents subsequently performed a simple cadaveric mastoidectomy under standardized laboratory conditions without instructor assistance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Technical performance was assessed using the 25-item Modified Welling Scale by 5 blinded expert otologists. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Group differences were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups except for sex distribution. The intervention group achieved significantly higher global Modified Welling Scale scores than the control group (16.44±2.62 vs. 12.28±2.63), corresponding to a mean difference of 4.16 points (95% CI: 2.68-5.64; P<0.001). Variance analysis showed that most score variability was attributable to differences between residents rather than evaluators, and the adjusted ICC indicated moderate inter-rater agreement (∼0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Structured precadaveric simulation training using a 3D-printed temporal bone model was associated with improved mastoidectomy performance among novice otolaryngology residents. These findings suggest that 3D-printed temporal bone models may represent a useful adjunct within otologic simulation curricula, particularly for early technical skill acquisition before cadaveric dissection.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.