Background: Acquiring proficiency for the repair of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is challenging in great part due to its relative rarity, which offers a finite number of training opportunities.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluates the use of a 3-dimensional (3D) printed, anatomically accurate model to simulate CSF leak closure.
Methods: Volunteer participants completed two simulation sessions. Questionnaires to assess their professional qualifications and a standardized 5-point Likert scale to estimate the level of confidence, were completed before and after each session. Participants were also queried on the overall educational utility of the simulation.
Results: Thirteen otolaryngologists and 11 neurosurgeons, met the inclusion criteria. A successful repair of the CSF leak was achieved by 20/24 (83.33%), and 24/24 (100%) during the first and second simulation sessions respectively (average time 04:04 ± 1.39 and 02:10 ± 01:11). Time-to-close-the-CSF-leak during the second session was significantly shorter than the first (p < 0.001). Confidence scores increased across the training sessions (3.3 ± 1.0, before the simulation, 3.7 ± 0.6 after the first simulation, and 4.2 ± 0.4 after the second simulation; p < 0.001). All participants reported an increase in confidence and believed that the model represented a valuable training tool.
Conclusions: Despite significant differences with varying clinical scenarios, 3D printed models for cerebrospinal leak repair offer a feasible simulation for the training of residents and novice surgeons outside the constrictions of a clinical environment.
Keywords: 3-D model; cerebrospinal fluid; rhinorrhea; simulation training; skull base surgery; transnasal approach.