Development of a Temporal Bone Model for Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery

Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) is being increasingly used in chronic ear disease for cholesteatoma removal and middle ear reconstruction, reducing the need for a postauricular incision and mastoidectomy. However, TEES is a challenging technique even for the most experienced otologist, requiring one-handed dissection using angled instrumentation. We have therefore developed a high-fidelity dissection model incorporating key aspects of TEES and cholesteatoma removal to facilitate the acquisition of these skills. Artificial cholesteatoma was implanted into middle ear spaces of a human temporal bone via a facial recess approach. A pilot study was conducted whereby surgeons endoscopically elevated a tympanomeatal flap with artificial bleeding and removed artificial cholesteatoma with angled instrumentation. Surgeons were uniformly satisfied with the experience and felt it would translate into improved performance in the operating room. This study suggests that the TEES dissection model could become an integral tool in the training of emerging TEES techniques.