3D Printed Mastoidectomy Simulator Improves Surgeon Training and Patient Outcomes

In medicine, one of the most prevalent applications of additive manufacturing is associated with surgical planning and surgeon training. New advancements are continuously surfacing in this field. For instance, 3D models depicting hearts with pathologies have been crafted to facilitate testing and rehearsal of surgical procedures before their application to patients. Similarly, 3D-printed bone models aid in addressing intricate fractures. Recently, a team of scientists in South Korea pioneered the development of a 3D model for simulating a mastoidectomy.

Mastoidectomy is a surgical procedure that consists of removing a part of the bone located behind the ear called the mastoid. The mastoid is a part of the skull with a honeycomb-like structure, i.e. with many cavities. In severe circumstances, ear infections can travel and implant in these cavities and infect the bone. Although the infection can be treated with antibiotics, mastoidectomy is necessary when medication fails.

Front view of the simulator (A) and rear view (B). (Photo Credits: Scientific Reports)

In order to facilitate the practice of surgeons, a team from the Ulsan University School of Medicine in Seoul has developed an educational 3D printed model that simulates mastoid cavities. The prototype was designed based on a computed tomography (CT) scan of an anonymous patient and special importance was placed on reproducing the mastoid cavities. Once the model was printed with this mechanical property, surgeons were able to appreciate the same sensation of “perforation” that they would have perceived when performing a real mastoidectomy.