Custom Tailored 3D Printed Anatomic Models for the Training in Temporal Bone Surgery

In a time of extraordinary technological advancements, one of the main challenges in the medical field for all doctors is to be in time with these improvements and have the capacity to use these technologies at their full potential. In order to achieve this goal, one of the most important aspects, especially for surgeons, is taking part in hands-on trainings. If at first, these courses were performed mainly on cadavers, nowadays the tendency is to use anatomic models as similar as possible to the real structures, regarding both the aspect and the feel during training. The reasons are numerous, ranging from ethical problems to the limited number of available cadavers associated with the high demand. Regardless of the motivation, any advancement that will help us create a more accurate model of an anatomical structure with a good cost-efficiency ratio will translate into a better training for the medical staff and the possibility of performing faster elaborate interventions. The aim of this article is to present a new alternative for the training of ENT surgeons in cochlear implantation, using a novel 3D printed anatomical model and an alternative surgical approach. We consider these to be an excellent option for surgeons who are at the beginning in the field of cochlear implantation, as it will allow them to perform the necessary training in a safe manner and specialize in a field that is still underdeveloped in our country.