Resident Physician Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon NH, New Hampshire
Introduction: The mastery of endolaryngeal surgery requires operative precision. To help achieve this precision, simulation has been used to augment the resident operative experience. Animal larynges provide high simulation validity and are a common and inexpensive resource, but healthcare institutions may restrict the use of operating room equipment on animal tissue. To circumvent this problem we sought to develop a low-cost, 3D printed dissection station that can incorporate multiple 3D printed laryngoscopes and utilize cadaveric and animal tissues.
Methods: 3D CAD models of Dedo and Lindholm laryngoscopes were designed in SolidWorks (Dassault Systèmes, Waltham, MA) based on measurements taken by hand. To facilitate CO2 laser surgery a custom suction port was placed on the superior aspect of the laryngoscopes, which were printed using the FormLabs 3 printer (Somerville, MA). Custom-sized inserts allowed the laryngoscopes to dock with the dissection station. The station was secured to plexiglass using an adjustable 3D printed arm. Total cost of the station was tabulated using individual component volumes and the per unit price of the material.
Results: The station and custom inserts accepted the 3D printed laryngoscopes without difficulty. Testing of the dissection station allowed for performance of phonomicrosurgery and ablative endolaryngeal surgery, including CO2 laser-assisted cordotomy and partial arytenoidectomy. Total price of the station was approximately $180.
Conclusion: Prior research has demonstrated cadaveric and animal tissue provide high fidelity simulation. 3D printed laryngoscopes help to circumvent potential institutional equipment restrictions, and facilitate low cost, high fidelity simulation for technically challenging laryngoscopy procedures.