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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jun 3;49(1):75.
doi: 10.1007/s10916-025-02209-9.

Enhancing Cricothyroidotomy Training for Novices Using Three-Dimensional-Printed Patient-Specific Models of a Patient with Obesity

Jaeeun Song #  1 , Junhyeok Ock  2 , Wook-Jong Kim  1 , Yong-Seok Park  3 , Namkug Kim  4   5 , Sung-Hoon Kim  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Enhancing Cricothyroidotomy Training for Novices Using Three-Dimensional-Printed Patient-Specific Models of a Patient with Obesity

Jaeeun Song et al. J Med Syst. .

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance cricothyroidotomy training for novice practitioners using three-dimensional-printed patient-specific models based on computed tomography images of a patient with obesity, evaluate these models compared to conventional training phantoms, and suggest possible effective training methods. A prospective, randomised crossover study was conducted with 30 medical students with no prior cricothyroidotomy experience. Participants performed the procedure on a conventional and a patient-specific model. Performance was assessed using time, visual inspections, and a three-dimensional scanner to evaluate the accuracy of the cricothyroidotomy simulation. The correlation between total time and checklist times for procedural step skills was analysed. Furthermore, a post-study survey was conducted to evaluate participants' perceptions of the realism and utility of both simulators. Patient-specific simulators required a longer time (18.63 ± 6.96 s) to confirm tracheal position compared to conventional simulators (15.28 ± 6.96 s; p = 0.034). Conversely, conventional simulators required a longer time (44.86 ± 27.56 s) to intubate than patient-specific simulators (27.96 ± 9.73 s; p < 0.001). Patient-specific simulators exhibited a greater deviation from the intended puncture site (17.14 ± 8.03 mm) compared to conventional simulators (2.95 ± 1.25 mm; p < 0.001), despite high visual success rates for both models. Survey results showed significantly higher ratings for the patient-specific simulator in terms of fidelity, utility, and special features (p < 0.001). This study assessed both time and accuracy in evaluating and enhancing training and procedural outcomes, being the first to incorporate a three-dimensional scanner into assessing outcomes. The findings, along with positive participant feedback from the post-study survey, emphasise the need for specialised training programmes incorporating a three-dimensional-printed, patient-specific models that reflect challenging scenarios particularly involving patients with obesity.

Keywords: 3D printing; Cricothyroidotomy; Obesity; Patient-specific model; Trainee.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics and Consent to Participate: This study was approved by Institutional Review Board of the Ethical Committee in Asan Medical Center, Korea (IRB No. 2023–0031). Informed consent was obtained from all participants in this study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Clinical Trial Number: Not applicable. This study is not a clinical trial but rather a research conducted on an educational training model, making the assignment of a clinical trial number inapplicable.

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