R03 - Development of a 3D-printed Canine Airway Model as a Simulator for Canine Bronchoscopy

Background

Utilising live animals or cadavers for canine bronchoscopy training is problematic due to ethical and biohazard reasons, and risks to patients when novices conduct live procedures. Currently, there are no commercially available canine bronchoscopy simulators on the market. A canine bronchoscopy simulator would be valuable for teaching airway anatomy and endoscope handling skills prior to in vivo training for bronchoscopy.
Hypothesis/Objectives

This study aimed to create a canine airway model with excellent anatomical fidelity via 3D-printing and to face and content validate the model as a canine bronchoscopy simulator.
Animals

A CT scan of a normal dog’s thorax was used for modelling

Methods

The canine airway model was created utilising 3D Slicer (Slicer Org.) and Meshmixer (AutoCad Inc.). Two models were created with proprietary build materials for two 3D printers: Accura ClearVue, ProJet 7000HD (3D Systems Inc.), and ABSm30 Fortus 900 (Stratasys Ltd.). The ABSm30 model was used for the validation study.

The validation study consisted of veterinarians (n=4) with bronchoscopy experience conducting a standard bronchoscopic examination and a 12-question, 5-point Likert scale survey.
Results

The participants gave high approval ratings for the model’s teaching utility and preference for using the model to teach first-year residents. A wide range of ratings were observed for questions regarding the build’s rigidity.
Conclusions and clinical importance

The ABSm30 model has anatomical fidelity and could be utilised to teach veterinary novice students in bronchoscopy. Both models require further optimisations to improve endoscope access and textual realism of the model.