• Austin S Rose, Julia S Kimbell, Caroline E Webster, Ola L A Harrysson, Eric J Formeister, and Craig A Buchman.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA austin_rose@med.unc.edu.
• Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn. 2015 Jul 1; 124 (7): 528-36.

HypothesisA simulated, multicolor, multi-material temporal bone model can be created using 3-dimensional (3D) printing that will prove both safe and beneficial in training for actual temporal bone surgical cases.BackgroundAs the process of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has become more practical and affordable, a number of applications for the technology in the field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery have been considered. One area of promise is temporal bone surgical simulation.MethodsThree-dimensional representations of human temporal bones were created from temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans using biomedical image processing software. Multi-material models were then printed and dissected in a temporal bone laboratory by attending and resident otolaryngologists. A 5-point Likert scale was used to grade the models for their anatomical accuracy and suitability as a simulation of cadaveric and operative temporal bone drilling.ResultsThe models produced for this study demonstrate significant anatomic detail and a likeness to human cadaver specimens for drilling and dissection.ConclusionSimulated temporal bones created by this process have potential benefit in surgical training, preoperative simulation for challenging otologic cases, and the standardized testing of temporal bone surgical skills.© The Author(s) 2015.

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