Abstract
A three-dimensional model of temporal bone was prototyped by the laser-sintering method and was used for surgical training of residents. The improvement of surgical skill and anatomical knowledge was evaluated by measuring the time needed to identify the target anatomical structures. The residents with 3-5 years of clinical experience and an otologist participated in this study. The dissection steps included the Koerner's septum, antrum, sigmoid sinus, incus, semicircular canals, etc. which were designated as the target structures. The times taken for the first dissection and the second dissection were compared. The time taken to complete the dissection by the otologist was 70 min. and that by the residents was 120-180 min. The time taken to identify the incus and posterior fossa plate tended to be longer. Structures that were easily damaged were the incus, facial nerve and semicircular canals. The time taken for the second dissection was shorter, especially among the participants with less otological experience. The model was useful to enable the residents to acquire anatomical knowledge and surgical skills.
