Cleft lip and palate surgery simulator: Open source simulation model
Cristian Teuber Lobos,
Benito K. Benitez,
Yoriko Lill,
Laura E. Kiser,
Ana Tache,
Maria Fernandez-Pose,
Andres Campolo Gonzalez,
Prasad Nalabothu,
Neha Sharma,
Florian M. Thieringer,
Alex Vargas Díaz,
Andreas A. Mueller
Affiliations
Cristian Teuber Lobos
Department of Surgical Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgery Division, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Benito K. Benitez
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Corresponding author. Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Yoriko Lill
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Laura E. Kiser
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Ana Tache
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Maria Fernandez-Pose
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Andres Campolo Gonzalez
Department of Surgical Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgery Division, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Prasad Nalabothu
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Neha Sharma
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland
Florian M. Thieringer
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Alex Vargas Díaz
Department of Surgical Oncology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Surgery Division, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
Andreas A. Mueller
Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Allschwil, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
Objective: Cleft lip and palate is the most common craniofacial birth anomaly and requires surgery in the first year of life. However, craniofacial surgery training opportunities are limited. The aim of this study was to present and evaluate an open-source cleft lip and palate hybrid (casting and three-dimensional (3D) printing) simulation model which can be replicated at low cost to facilitate the teaching and training of cleft surgery anatomy and techniques. Design: The soft tissue component of the cleft surgery training model was casted using a 3D printed 5-component mold and silicone. The bony structure was designed to simulate the facial anatomy and to hold the silicone soft tissue. Setting: Two groups, one group of trainees and one group of expert surgeons, at University Hospital Basel in Switzerland and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago, Chile, tested the cleft lip and palate simulation model. Participants completed a Likert-based face and content validity questionnaire to assess the realism of the model and its usefulness in surgical training. Results: More than 70 % of the participants agreed that the model accurately simulated human tissues found in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Over 60 % of the participants also agreed that the model realistically replicated surgical procedures. In addition, 80–90 % of the participants found the model to be a useful and appropriate tool for teaching the anatomy and surgical techniques involved in performing unilateral cleft lip and palate repair. Conclusion: This open-source protocol provides a cost-effective solution for surgeons to introduce the cleft morphology and surgical techniques to trainees on a regular basis. It addresses the current financial barrier that limits access to commercially available models during the early stages of surgeon training prior to specialization in the field.
