Validation of a chicken wing training model for endoscopic microsurgical dissection

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine if training with a chicken wing model improves performance of endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) with microvascular dissection. Study Design Randomized experimental study. Methods A single‐blinded randomized clinical trial of trainees with various levels of endoscopic experience was conducted to determine if prior training on a nonhuman model augments endoscopic skill and efficiency in a surrogate model for live surgery. Medical students, residents, and fellows were randomized to two groups: a control group that performed an endoscopic transantral internal maxillary artery dissection on a silicone‐injected anatomical specimen, and an interventional group that underwent microvascular dissection training on a chicken wing model prior to performing the anatomic dissection on the cadaver specimen. Time to completion and quality of dissection were measured. Results A Mann‐Whitney test demonstrated a significant improvement in time and quality outcomes respectively across all interventional groups, with the greatest improvements seen in participants with less endoscopic experience: medical students ( P  = .032, P  = .008), residents and fellows ( P  = .016, P  = .032). Conclusions Prior training on the chicken wing model improves surgical performance in a surrogate model for live EES. Level of Evidence 1b. Laryngoscope , 125:571–576, 2015