An animal model for training in endoscopic nasal and sinus surgery.

An animal model has been devised to allow trainees in nasal and sinus endoscopy to develop basic instrument handling and psychomotor skills, without risk to patients. The sheep's head obtained from the abattoir was modified slightly to simulate more closely the human situation. The model permits nasendoscopy, foreign body removal, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, frontal and maxillary sinoscopy, antrostomy and an epistaxis exercise. To date the tissues have been used freshly thawed, and must be used on the day of preparation.