Comparison of Flexible 3D Printed Stenotic Airway Model Versus Standard Model for Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Training a Proof of Concept

Aim: This study aimed to determine operator impressions of an airway obstruction procedure using a custom silicone model of low cost and high accuracy.

Background: Current procedural education for therapeutic bronchoscopy relies on animal models, supervised in-patient training, and inanimate artificial models. Model manufacturing via lost-wax casting allows for the flexibility of the material selection and reproduction of complex airway shapes.

Methods: A patient computed tomography scan was anonymized and segmented into a stereolithographic (STL) file. The water dissolvable interior airway mold was 3-dimensional (D) printed using polyvinyl alcohol and the exterior mold was printed with polylactic acid. Flexible silicone was injected into the mold. During advanced bronchoscopy courses (2017-2018) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, participants were asked to evaluate both standard bronchoscopy manikin and the manikin with 3D customization.

Results: We evaluated 17 participants with different levels in training in the pulmonary field. All of them reported that they previously have performed >100 bronchoscopies, 88% having treated patients with airway stenosis. In total, 77% of participants thought the 3D model was better or much better for airway inspection when compared with Broncho-Boy. Overall, 94% of participants reported the 3D model was accurate or very accurate for realism. In total, 69% of trainees reported the overall experience as excellent. All of them reported 3D model would improve their skills on stent placement.

Conclusion: 3D printing with silicone lost wax casting can be used to reproduce airway abnormalities for tactile simulation bronchoscopy. Reproducible custom airway models can be created for a relatively low cost.