OBJECTIVE: This study describes the quality of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers as training model for endoscopic sinus surgery in terms of color and consistency of the tissues and similarity of performing the surgical steps to live surgery.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Six Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers from the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy were used as training models. The Thiel-preserved cadavers utilized the soft embalming protocol being employed at the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Ten otorhinolaryngologists were recruited to evaluate the cadavers using a questionnaire with three parts. The first two parts utilize a 10-point Likert scale with 1 as the least similar to live patient while 10 as simulating the live patient. The third part is an open-ended question regarding the suitability of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers in the training for endoscopic sinus surgery.

RESULTS: Endoscopic sinus surgery was successfully performed in all cadavers. The Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver closely replicates the color and consistency of the anatomic structures important in endoscopic sinus surgery. All the surgical steps were performed with ease simulating live surgery.

CONCLUSION: Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver is a suitable model for training in endoscopic sinus surgery.

With the progresses of the research on "Digital Human", more and more information has been needed for the setting up of the three-dimensional digital models of human organs. In the present paper, based on the method of block mapping with a normal-style bump mapping method, we normalized the vector of the surface of the models, computed offset of the texture coordinates and added to them. The projection of the coordinates to the tangential space complemented the disturbance to the vector of models' surface. The method was proposed with bump texture mapping on the surface of the biological models of organs to improve the impression of the visualization of the organ models and to enhance the sense of reality of the models.
Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Models, Biological

In plastic and reconstructive craniomaxillofacial surgery, careful preoperative planning is essential to get a successful outcome. Many craniomaxillofacial surgeons have used imaging modalities like conventional radiographs, computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for supporting the planning process. But, there are a lot of limitations in the comprehension of the surgical anatomy with these modalities. Medical models made with rapid prototyping (RP) technique represent a new approach for preoperative planning and simulation surgery. With rapid prototyping models, surgical procedures can be simulated and performed interactively so that surgeon can get a realistic impression of complex structures before surgical intervention. The great advantage of rapid prototyping technique is the precise reproduction of objects from a 3-dimensional reconstruction image as a physical model. Craniomaxillofacial surgeon can establish treatment strategy through preoperative simulation surgery and predict the postoperative result.
Comprehension ; Models, Anatomic ; Plastics ; Reproduction

retrospective study include 22 patients with Meckel diverticulum were found incidentally or because of its complications, between 1992-2002 in Binh Dan hospital, HCM city. Use the Fisher exact test with two tails to determine the correlation between the histological property and its clinical presentations. The results showed that the features of Meckel diverticulum were noted, no difference in sex. The histological type of the mucosa (gastric) had significant positive correlation with the clinical presentation. Resection of the unexpected Meckel diverticulum could be performed safely with a low complication rate
Meckel Diverticulum ; Models, Anatomic ; Histological Techniques ; surgery

By using the reverse engineering (RE) technology, the mesh surface model of acetabulum was reconstructed by triangulation. Based on this kind of model, the local morphological analysis (LMA) and global morphological analysis (GMA) could be processed. The fitting minimal quadric surface method was applied to calculate the curvature of any point on the acetabulum bony surface, the local morphological character of its surface could be acquired, and its global surface character could be determined by GMA. The results showed that the acetabulum bony surface is elliptical surface, and its three eigenvalues (lambda1, lambda2, lambda3) relations on the three axes (x, y, z) are as follows: lambda1 is short than lambda2 and lambda3, lambda2 is close to lambda3.
Acetabulum ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic

Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Models, Anatomic

Although IMF incision is known the best way for anatomic implant, most Korean doctors and patients hesitate IMF incision. Anatomic form stable implants have some benefits such as less prominent upper pole, less wrinkles and ripples, and less rupture rate than round cohesive type I implants. However more concern is necessory for placing the anatomic implants. The Korean Academic Association of Breast Surgery(KAABS) planned to support some tips for using anatomic form stable implants through axillary incision. The KAABS gathered and analyzed the concepts of Korean plastic surgeons who have experienced transaxillary breast augmentation with anatomic form stable implants. The KAABS requested them of their concepts of 9 basic categories: entrance dissection, pocket dissection, lubricant, inserting aids, skin protector, inserting direction, suction drainage, dressing, compression garment, and their key considerations. Eight expert surgeons suggested their own cutting edge methods of transaxillary breast augmentation with the anatomic form stable implant, however each surgeon should find his or her own method. Authors and KAABS hope that these developing and incomplete concepts help beginners to find their own concepts.
Bandages ; Breast ; Breast Implants ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Rupture ; Skin ; Suction

This paper is aimed to develop a computerized three dimensional system for displaying and analyzing mandibular helical axis pathways. Mandibular movements were recorded using a six-degrees-of-freedom ultrasonic jaw movement recording device. The three-dimensional digital models of the midface and the mandible were reconstructed and segmented from CT skull images. The digital models were then transformed to the coordinate system of mandibular motion data by using an optical measuring system. The system was programmed on the base of the Visualization ToolKit and Open Scene Graphics Library. According to the motion data, transformation matrices were calculated to simulate mandibular movements. Meanwhile, mandibular helical axis pathways were calculated and displayed three dimensionally by means of an eigenvalues method. The following parameters of mandibular helical axis were calculated: the rotation around instantaneous helical axis, the translation along it, its spatial orientation, its position and distance relative to any special reference point. These parameters could be exported to describe comprehensively the whole mandiblular movements. It could be concluded that our system would contribute to the study of mandiblular helical axis pathways.
Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Mandible ; Models, Anatomic ; Movement ; Rotation

BACKGROUNDEndoscopic transsphenoidal approach is a minimally invasive surgical technique for the removal of sellar and parasellar lesions, which has been progressively accepted by neurosurgeons. However, frustration is often expressed by neurosurgeons when first attempting endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery. To overcome the learning curve from microscope to endoscope in a smooth way, a new human nasal model has been developed. The present study assessed this new model of the human paranasal sinuses for endonasal surgery training, particularly for endonasal pituitary surgery training.

METHODSThe procedure for endonasal transsphenoidal endoscopy was performed using this model. Three approaches were used to observe the endonasal structures and sphenoidal sinus: paraseptal; middle turbinectomy; and middle meatal. Attempts were made to identify anatomical landmarks in the nasal cavity and sphenoidal sinus. Model landmarks were compared with those in a cadaver and a real patient.

RESULTSThis model precisely reproduced nasal bone structure. Compared with cadavers and living bodies, intranasal structures displayed very good color and texture, providing a close facsimile of the operative environment, and good morphology, with similar hardness and tactile feel on resection. All intranasal anatomical landmarks were easily identified, including choanae, inferior, middle and superior turbinates, and even the natural ostium of the sphenoidal sinus.

CONCLUSIONThis human nasal model is very useful for training neurosurgeons in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, but typical anatomical landmarks in the posterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus in this model should be improved.

OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a finite element model of human middle ear and measure characteristic dimensions of this model and calculate the mass properties of the ossicles.

METHODSThe proposed method starts with the histologic section preparation of human temporal bone. Through tracing outlines of the middle ear components on the sections in AutoCAD2005, a set of exterior contours of the components is obtained. The three-dimensional solid model of middle ear, including tympanic membrane, ossicular bones, middle ear suspensory ligaments/muscles, are reconstructed using these contours in Unigraphics (UG). To prepare for finite element analysis (FEA) of the middle ear, all surfaces of the solid model are translated into ADINA, a commercial FE model package. Based on these surfaces, FE meshes of the middle ear are created, and material properties and boundaries are set up. The characteristic dimensions of this model are measured and the mass properties of the ossicles are calculated to confirm the accuracy of the geometric model constructed following the proposed method.

RESULTSThe three-dimensional finite element model of the human middle ear that included tympanic membrane, ossicular bones and middle ear suspensory ligaments/muscles was reconstructed. The accuracy of this geometric model was confirmed with the outcome of the characteristic dimensions of this model and the mass properties of the ossicles.

CONCLUSIONSThe proposed method not only provides an effective, convenient, economic, accurate way to reconstruct the three dimensional finite element model of human middle, but also provides a detailed knowledge of middle ear geometry that is required for finite element analysis.