Learning Objectives:

Background: Inexperienced otologists require training on the temporal bone drilling process, prior to any surgical activity. The shortage of cadaveric temporal bones exerts pressure to create realistic physical prototypes. We described the devlioppement and validation of an artificial temporal bone (TB) model devoted to surgical training and education.

Material and Methods: A helical computed tomographic (CT) scan was used to acquire high-resolution data of cadaveric TB. Digital imaging and communications in medicine data were converted into .stl files after data processing. Cadaveric TBs were prototyped using stereolithography. Validation of the prototype needed several steps.

First, we validated the TB prototype using on CT scan and visualization of anatomic landmarks during TB drilling of the cadaveric TBs and prototyped bones. The second step was the validation of the prototype with otologist experts. Twenty-five prototypes were sent to 25 otologists, accompanied by a 20-item questionnaire in order to have their satisfaction rate and feeling about the prototype. At last, we investigated with a sclae the use of temporal bone prototype for drilling performance during residency.

Results: Concerning the validation of the prototype using CT scan and drilling, measurements of volume and distance showed no significant difference between prototypes and cadaver TBs. Concerning the otologist experts, satisfaction rate was 92 per cent. The overall prototype score was 48.87 out of 60. Limitations of the model included an excessively vivid facial nerve colour and difficulty in identifying the posterior semicircular canal. At last, the use of an artificial TB showed a significant improvement about drilling performance in residency.

Conclusion: The prototype appears to provide an attractive solution to the shortage of cadaveric TBs and interest in the model for drilling technique training for inexperienced otologists ans show an improvement in term of performance.