Establishing a temporal bone laboratory: considerations for ENT specialist training

Abstract

Cadaveric temporal bone dissection in a temporal bone laboratory is a vital component in training safe, competent otorhinolaryngologists. Recent controversies pertaining to organ retention have resulted in a more limited supply of temporal bones. Consequently, current trainees are dissecting far fewer bones than their consultants. We discuss the establishment of a temporal bone laboratory in the Department of Anatomy in the University College Cork, from the timely preparation and preservation of the tissue to its disposal. Comparisons are drawn between our experience and that of the United States training schemes. The temporal bone laboratory in Cork is the only one in existence in Ireland. The exposure and experience obtained by registrars rotating through Cork, has resulted in noticeable improvements in their operative abilities. The temporal bone laboratory remains a core component to training. It is hoped that this article may facilitate other units overcoming obstacles to establish a temporal bone laboratory.

Construct, Face, and Content Validation on Voxel-Man® Simulator for Otologic Surgical Training

“…In addition, until recently, the only way for beginners to acquire otologic skills was to train on cadaveric models due to the absence of any adequate animal model. However, obstacles imposed by legislative and ethical issues, as well as costs, seriously limited access to human temporal bones [1], thus reducing the total training time [2]. New technologies could help overcome these limitations by developing innovative methods for teaching complex otologic skills.…”

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“…As a corollary to increasing focus on safety, and to supplement surgical education in the face of resident work hour restrictions, numerous teaching adjuncts have been developed. The Cadaveric Temporal Bone Lab remains the gold standard; however access to sufficient exposure is site specific owing to local factors and expense [1]. An array of haptic simulators [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] are now available to complement this training and the field of additive manufacturing is beginning to provide effective models for dissection [11,12].…”

Freely-Available, True-Color Volume Rendering Software and Cryohistology Data Sets for Virtual Exploration of the Temporal Bone Anatomy

“…CT or MRI) are used to help discern three-dimensional relationships from two-dimensional (2D) images [1,2]. Complementing this is specialized training for surgical residents during temporal bone lab courses using cadaveric bones as well as hands-on learning under the close supervision of an expert as is only achievable in the operating room [3,4]. These courses are considered the penultimate training second only to apprenticing within the operating room.…”

“…These courses are considered the penultimate training second only to apprenticing within the operating room. Unfortunately, especially in the UK, such courses are in decline secondary to decreased availability of donated bodies [3]. …”