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Scientific Oral Presentations

Pediatric Otolaryngology

Session: Scientific Oral Presentations 5 - Pediatric Otolaryngology

Open Access 3D-Printed Open Airway Recontstruction and Rib Cartilage Carving Simulation Model

Monday, September 30, 2024
9:54 AM – 10:00 AM EDT
Location: MBCC, Art Deco 228AB
Disclosure(s):
Parker H. Tumlin, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Ian L. Sunyecz, DO:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Erica H. McArdle, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Johnathan E. Castaño, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Hussein Jaffal, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Open airway reconstruction is a challenging, and at many institutions a rare procedure that is performed to address stenosis in the pediatric airway. Multiple simulation models including animal models and 3D printed models have been proposed, however there are no open-access models available in the literature to the authors’ knowledge.

Methods: Using a combination of liquid silicone with and without starch and a 3D printing technique, a new methodology was applied to create laryngotracheal and rib cartilage models. These models were then utilized in an open airway reconstruction and cartilage graft carving simulation lab at a tertiary academic center in January 2024. Resident participants were surveyed regarding their confidence in performing key portions of the surgery including carving of anterior and posterior grafts, parachuting suture technique, and tracheal resection and anastomosis. Surveys were collected at three time points (baseline, post-lecture, and post-simulation lab). The impact on participant confidence was analyzed using a paired t-test, and model fidelity was assessed.

Results: The airway and cartilage models were able to be fashioned quickly with a very low cost. The cost per model for the airway and rib cartilage models were $0.53 and $0.13, respectively. A total of 13 participants completed the lab and surveys. When the simulation and post-lecture surveys were compared to the baseline survey, a statistically significant improvement in confidence was noted. On comparison of the post-simulation and post-lecture surveys, statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) with a large effect size (Cohen’s d ≥1.58) was noted for all survey items. The models were found to be of high fidelity based on the assessment questions.

Conclusions: With this simulation study, we demonstrated increased confidence for residents in their understanding of key steps involved in open airway reconstruction and cartilage carving using cheap and high-fidelity models. This model is unique in that all sterolithography (STL) files will be made open source to increase accessibility and allow for replication of the study.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Parker H. Tumlin, MD

    Resident physician
    West Virginia University
    Morgantown, WV, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Ian L. Sunyecz, DO

    Resident Physician
    West Virginia University
    Morgantown, WV, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Erica H. McArdle, MD

    Resident physician
    West Virginia University
    Morgantown, WV, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • Johnathan E. Castaño, MD

    Assistant Professor & Associate Residency Program Director
    WVU SOM Department of Otolaryngology
    Morgantown, WV, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • HJ

    Hussein Jaffal, MD

    Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director, Director of Upper Aerodigestive and Sleep Services
    West Virginia University
    Morgantown, WV, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.