Evaluating the efficacy of a cost-effective, fully three-dimensional-printed vertebra model for endoscopic spine surgery training for neurosurgical residents
- Author:
Bilal Bahadır AKBULUT
1
;
Mustafa Serdar BÖLÜK
;
Hüseyin BIÇEROĞLU
;
Taşkın YURTSEVEN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2024;18(5):630-638
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:Eight residents with >2 years of training participated. Residents performed the procedure bilaterally and twice at 1-week intervals.
Results:From the 32 surgeries, four were excluded because of facet removal (as it widened the surgical corridor), leaving 28 surgeries for analysis. Initial surgeries demonstrated a mean operation time of 21 minutes 18 seconds (standard deviation [SD], 2 minutes 32 seconds), which improved to a mean of 6 minutes 45 seconds (SD, 37 seconds) in the fourth surgery (F(3, 17)=19.18, p <0.0001), demonstrating a significant reduction in surgical time over successive surgeries. The median area with the paint removed decreased, from 161.80 (85.55–217.83) to 95.13 mm2 (12.62–160.54), (F(2.072, Inf)=2.04, p =0.128); however, this was not significant. Resident feedback indicated high satisfaction with the educational value of the model.
Conclusions:The developed fully 3D-printed model provides a viable and scalable option for neurosurgical training programs, enhancing the learning experience while maintaining low costs. This model may be an excellent stepping stone for learning lumbar spine endoscopy, acclimating to the two-dimensional view, progressing to cadaver models, and, eventually, independent surgery.
