• Nyall R London, Gustavo G Rangel, Kyle VanKoevering, Ashley Zhang, Allison R Powell, Daniel M Prevedello, Ricardo L Carrau, and Patrick C Walz.
• Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
• World Neurosurg. 2021 Mar 1; 147: e405-e410.

ObjectiveThe pediatric skull base may present anatomic challenges to the skull base surgeon, including limited sphenoid pneumatization and a narrow nasal corridor. The rare nature of pediatric skull base pathology makes it difficult to gain experience with these anatomic challenges. The objective of this study was to create a 3-dimensionally (3D) printed model of the pediatric skull base and assess its potential as a training tool.MethodsTwenty-eight participants at various stages of training and practice were included in our study. They completed a pre- and postdissection questionnaire assessing challenges with endoscopic endonasal skeletonization of the carotid arteries and sella face using the 3D printed model.ResultsThe majority of participants had completed a skull base surgery fellowship (60.7%), were <5 years into practice (60.7%), and had <10 cases of pediatric skull base experience (82.1%). Anticipated challenges included limitation of maneuverability of instruments (71.4%), narrow nasal corridor and nonpneumatized bone (57.1%). On a scale of 0-10, 10 being very difficult, the average participant expected level of difficulty with visualization was 6.89 and expected level of difficulty with instrumentation was 7.3. On postdissection assessment, there was a nonstatistically significant change to 6.93 and 7.5, respectively. Participants endorsed on a scale of 0-10, 10 being very realistic, an overall model realism of 7.0 and haptic realism of 7.1.ConclusionsA 3D printed model of the pediatric skull base may provide a realistic model to help participants gain experience with anatomic limitations characteristic of the pediatric anterior skull base.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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