Surgical simulation of endoscopic sinus surgery using Thiel soft-embalmed human cadaver

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study describes the quality of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers as training model for endoscopic sinus surgery in terms of color and consistency of the tissues and similarity of performing the surgical steps to live surgery.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Six Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers from the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy were used as training models. The Thiel-preserved cadavers utilized the soft embalming protocol being employed at the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Ten otorhinolaryngologists were recruited to evaluate the cadavers using a questionnaire with three parts. The first two parts utilize a 10-point Likert scale with 1 as the least similar to live patient while 10 as simulating the live patient. The third part is an open-ended question regarding the suitability of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers in the training for endoscopic sinus surgery.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Endoscopic sinus surgery was successfully performed in all cadavers. The Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver closely replicates the color and consistency of the anatomic structures important in endoscopic sinus surgery. All the surgical steps were performed with ease simulating live surgery.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver is a suitable model for training in endoscopic sinus surgery.</p>