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Barbed Pharyngoplasty simulation using a 3D-printed model: design and validation study

  • ENT • Original Article
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Abstract

Purpose

Learning how to use barbed sutures and perform Barbed Pharyngoplasty (BP) is challenging due to limited surgical training opportunities. This work aims to design, develop, and validate a new 3D surgical simulator to train ENT residents and specialists in performing BP.

Methods

The Barbed Pharyngoplasty Simulator (BPS) was designed using diagnostic images of the facial mass and testing different materials to replicate the mucosal and bony tissues. ENT specialists with experience in BP and ENT residents were included in the validation study and were asked to perform the Alianza BP. After the simulation, they compiled the Face and Content Validity Questionnaires.

Results

The BPS consists of a reusable cranial structure that contains the disposable palatopharyngeal structure, replicating the palatal structures and the tongue. Fifteen experienced ENT specialists and nine residents were included in the study. Findings demonstrated that the BPS faithfully replicated the muscular and fibrous-bony palatopharyngeal structures, with only 11% of residents having a negative opinion of the mucosal tissue. All the participants positively rated the sensation of using surgical instruments on the simulator. Also, ENT residents rated all aspects of the content validity test from normal to excellent, while specialists rated the BPS as a general training tool from normal to excellent; for lateral pharyngoplasty, BP, and Alianza, only 6.7% of participants disagreed with its usefulness, and 13.3% disagreed with it for anterior pharyngoplasty.

Conclusion

The BPS proposed in this preliminary study can potentially be a valuable tool in BP surgical training for residents and young otolaryngologists.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available due to reasons of sensitivity and are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to “MediLife Innovation and Technology,” which supported our team in the design and manufacturing process of the 3D-surgical simulator.

Funding

No funding was received for this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Measurements and Biomedical Instrumentation, Department of Engineering, Università Campus Bio-Medico Di Roma, Rome, Italy

    Lucrezia Giorgi

  2. Integrated Therapies in Otolaryngology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy

    Lucrezia Giorgi, Giovanni Pericone, Luigi De Benedetto & Manuele Casale

  3. School of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico Di Roma, Rome, Italy

    Antonio Moffa, Giovanni Pericone & Manuele Casale

  4. Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Kórház És Rendelőintézet, Fül-Orr-Gégészeti És Fej-Nyaksebészeti Osztály Budapest, Maglódi Út 89-91, 1106, Maglódi Út, Hungary

    Dorina Galantai

  5. ENT and Allergy Associates, New York, NY, USA

    Ofer Jacobowitz

  6. Department of Head-Neck Surgery, Oral Surgery Unit, Morgagni Pierantoni Hospital, Head-Neck, OtolaryngologyForli, Italy

    Claudio Vicini

  7. Department ENT & Audiology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy

    Claudio Vicini

  8. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital San José, 64718, Monterrey, Mexico

    Rodolfo Lugo

  9. ENT Department, Al Zahra Private Hospital Dubai, 23614, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Peter M. Baptista

  10. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Peter M. Baptista

Authors
  1. Lucrezia Giorgi
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  2. Antonio Moffa
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  3. Giovanni Pericone
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  4. Dorina Galantai
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  5. Luigi De Benedetto
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  6. Ofer Jacobowitz
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  7. Claudio Vicini
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  8. Rodolfo Lugo
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  9. Peter M. Baptista
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  10. Manuele Casale
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonio Moffa.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

The study was conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico Ethics Committee. Appoval Code: PAR 96.23 OSS. Approval Date: 19/04/2023.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all participants in the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Giorgi, L., Moffa, A., Pericone, G. et al. Barbed Pharyngoplasty simulation using a 3D-printed model: design and validation study. Sleep Breath (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-024-03067-4

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