This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
3-D printed model predicts nasal tip reaction forces
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The use of 3-D printed silicone anatomic nasal models for estimating nasal tip reaction forces were verified by established rhinoplasty surgeons of varying skill levels, according to recent research.
“We used 3-D printing to create nasal simulacrum that allows for changing overall mechanical behavior while preserving intrinsic form factor,” Brian J.F. Wong, MD, PhD, from the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, and colleagues wrote in their study. “This process allows analysis of mechanical response independent of the object shape. This information will become increasingly important as sophisticated modeling techniques continue to enhance surgical planning.”
From the 3-D printed models, Wong and colleagues created five Young moduli (0.042 MPa, 0.086 MPa, 0.098 MPa, 0.252 MPa, 0.302 MPa) of nasal casting models made of silicone. The researchers recruited 30 rhinoplasty surgeons enrolled in a rhinoplasty course to determine which model had the minimum and ideal nasal tip support by analyzing the reaction force (nasal tip recoil) using palpation of the tip on each model.
Seventeen of the surgeons considered themselves possessing advanced or expert skill competency levels in rhinoplasty; the others considered themselves as having novice or intermediate skill levels. Four surgeons had practiced between 1 and 5 years, nine surgeons had practiced for 6 to 15 years, seven surgeons had practiced from 16 to 25 years, and 10 surgeons had practiced for 26 years or more.
They found the estimated minimum threshold for adequate tip support was 0.096 MPa, while the threshold for ideal tip support was 0.154 MPa, according to a logistic regression. For good tip recoil during 1-mm to 8-mm displacement, the researchers found 0.26 N to 4.74 N was the minimum threshold requirements, and 0.37 N to 7.19 N were the ideal threshold requirements.
“Our study also examined whether any differences were based on skill level, but we did not find any statistically significant difference in the thresholds selected based on this parameter,” Wong and colleagues wrote. “However, we found that more of the advanced and expert surgeons identified a lower threshold value for their requirement for good tip support. This finding may reflect a propensity for more junior surgeons to make more conservative selections.” – by Jeff Craven
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts