3-D-Printed Models for Temporal Bone Training: A Validity Study

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Andreas Frithioff
  • Martin Frendø
  • Kenneth Weiss
  • Søren Foghsgaard
  • Peter Trier Mikkelsen
  • Thomas Winther Frederiksen
  • David Bue Pedersen
  • Sørensen, Mads Sølvsten
  • Steven Arild Wuyts Andersen

Objective 3-D printing offers convenient and low-cost mastoidectomy training; nonetheless, training benefits using 3-D-printed temporal bones remain largely unexplored. In this study, we have collected validity evidence for a low-cost, 3-D-printed temporal bone for mastoidectomy training and established a credible pass/fail score for performance on the model. Study design A prospective educational study gathering validity evidence using Messick's validity framework. Setting Seven Danish otorhinolaryngology training institutions. Participants Eighteen otorhinolaryngology residents (novices) and 11 experienced otosurgeons (experts). Intervention Residents and experienced otosurgeons each performed two to three anatomical mastoidectomies on a low-cost, 3-D-printed temporal bone model produced in-house. After drilling, mastoidectomy performances were rated by three blinded experts using a 25-item modified Welling scale (WS). Main outcome measure Validity evidence using Messick's framework including reliability assessment applying both classical test theory and Generalizability theory. Results Novices achieved a mean score of 13.9 points; experienced otosurgeons achieved 23.2 points. Using the contrasting groups method, we established a 21/25-point pass/fail level. The Generalizability coefficient was 0.91, and 75% of the score variance was attributable to participant performance, indicating a high level of assessment reliability. Subsequent D studies revealed that two raters rating one performance or one rater rating two performances were sufficiently reliable for high-stakes assessment. Conclusion Validity evidence supports using a low-cost, 3-D-printed model for mastoidectomy training. The model can be printed in-house using consumer-grade 3-D printers and serves as an additional training tool in the temporal bone curriculum. For competency-based training, we established a cut-off score of 21 of 25 WS points using the contrasting groups method.

Original languageEnglish
JournalOtology & Neurotology
Volume44
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)e497-e503
ISSN1531-7129
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

    Research areas

  • 3-D printing, Additive manufacturing, Assessment, Mastoidectomy, Medical education, Neurotology, Otology, Rapid prototyping, Surgical simulation, Temporal bone, Training

ID: 368799940