A middle-ear simulator for practicing prosthesis placement for otosclerosis surgery using ward-based materials.

Complications following stapedectomy are the most common cause of litigation involving otological cases in the USA. Manipulation and placement of the prosthesis during a stapedectomy may have a profound effect on the final hearing results. Concerns have been raised over the reduced number of cases, training of residents, and the maintenance of the necessary skills to achieve consistently good results. Temporal bone dissection is an important adjunct to developing the required skills to perform stapedectomies. However the reduced availability of specimens limits their use for teaching or practising the procedure. In order to circumvent these problems an inexpensive and easily constructed middle-ear simulator has been developed based on materials readily available in any ENT ward. It is believed that this might help trainees develop the necessary skills to master the procedure.