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. 2024 Dec 2;14(6):1045-1057.
doi: 10.3390/audiolres14060086.

A 3D-Printed Educational Model for First-Line Management of BPPV in Emergency Departments

Pietro Canzi  1   2 , Elena Carlotto  1   2 , Stefania Marconi  3 , Silvia Quaglieri  2 , Giuseppe Attanasio  4 , Francesca Yoshie Russo  4 , Ilaria Ottoboni  1 , Silvia Ponzo  5 , Andrea Scribante  6   7 , Stefano Perlini  8 , Marco Benazzo  1   2
Affiliations

A 3D-Printed Educational Model for First-Line Management of BPPV in Emergency Departments

Pietro Canzi et al. Audiol Res. .

Abstract

Background: We present a feasibility study on the development of a 3D-printed (3DP) model of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its validation as an educational tool for training in therapeutic maneuvers.

Methods: A 1.5:1 3DP model of the human labyrinth, supplemented by a 1:1 3DP model of the skull, was obtained from a computed tomography scan. We presented the model to 15 Emergency Medicine residents, 15 medical students, 15 Otolaryngology residents, and 15 Otolaryngology practitioners from two academic referral centers. Participants performed the Semont and Epley maneuvers on the model twice, once before and once after observing the biomechanics of BPPV using this tool. A specific survey was then administered to assess both performance improvement and satisfaction.

Results: All the trainees demonstrated an improving trend on the second attempt. The medical students ameliorated significantly after the training in both Epley (p = 0.007) and Semont maneuvers (p = 0.0134). The Emergency Medicine residents improved significantly in Semont maneuvers (p = 0.0134). Self-reported understanding of the BPPV mechanics improved significantly after training in all the groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The preliminary data highlighted the potential benefits of training on the 3DP model for practitioners involved in the first-line management of BPPV.

Keywords: 3D printing; benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; emergency department; labyrinth; maneuver; posterior semicircular canal; tangible model; training.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Skull 3DP model. (a) Lower part of the model; (b) zoom on the artificially created inlet, in the left side of the skull; (c) closure of the two parts of the skull through rubber bands.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Labyrinth 3DP model. The 3DP model of a left labyrinth, seen anteriorly with 1 mm steel balls (a), medially (b), posteriorly (c), and laterally (d).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Evolution of the participants’ performances between the first and second attempts of the Epley maneuver. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students, t0: first attempt, t1: second attempt.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Evolution of the participants’ performances between the first and second attempts of the Semont maneuver. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students, t0: first attempt, t1: second attempt.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Participants’ answers to Question 3. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Participants’ answers to Question 4. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Participants’ answers to Question 5. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Participants’ answers to Question 6. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Participants’ answers to Question 7. EM: EM residents, ENT: ENT residents, MED: medical students.
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