A novel approach to microsurgical teaching in head and neck surgery leveraging modern 3D technologies

Weber M, Backhaus J, Lutz R, Nobis CP, Zeichner S, Koenig S, Kesting MR, Olmos M (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Scientific Reports Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Journals - Option B

Book Volume: 13

Article Number: 20341

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47225-2

Abstract

The anatomically complex and often spatially restricted conditions of anastomosis in the head and neck region cannot be adequately reproduced by training exercises on current ex vivo or small animal models. With the development of a Realistic Anatomical Condition Experience (RACE) model, complex spatial-anatomical surgical areas and the associated intraoperative complexities could be transferred into a realistic training situation in head and neck surgery. The RACE model is based on a stereolithography file generated by intraoperative use of a three-dimensional surface scanner after neck dissection and before microvascular anastomosis. Modelling of the acquired STL file using three-dimensional processing software led to the model’s final design. As a result, we have successfully created an economical, sustainable and realistic model for microsurgical education and provide a step-by-step workflow that can be used in surgical and general medical education to replicate and establish comparable models. We provide an open source stereolithography file of the head-and-neck RACE model for printing for educational purposes. Once implemented in other fields of surgery and general medicine, RACE models could mark a shift in medical education as a whole, away from traditional teaching principles and towards the use of realistic and individualised simulators.

Authors with CRIS profile

Manuel Weber Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Rainer Lutz Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Christopher-Philipp Nobis Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Marco Rainer Kesting Lehrstuhl für Zahnmedizin, insbesondere Mund-, Kiefer-, und Gesichtschirurgie

Involved external institutions

Universitätsklinikum Würzburg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Weber, M., Backhaus, J., Lutz, R., Nobis, C.-P., Zeichner, S., Koenig, S.,... Olmos, M. (2023). A novel approach to microsurgical teaching in head and neck surgery leveraging modern 3D technologies. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-47225-2

MLA:

Weber, Manuel, et al. "A novel approach to microsurgical teaching in head and neck surgery leveraging modern 3D technologies." Scientific Reports 13.1 (2023).

BibTeX: Download