Rapidly prototyped temporal bone model for otological education.

The anatomy of the temporal bone is extremely complicated. If a three-dimensional model could be simulated, it would greatly contribute to the stereoscopic understanding of anatomy and surgery. A simulated three-dimensional model of a human temporal bone was prototyped using the selective laser sintering method. The model could be shaved using a surgical drill in the same way as in real surgery. A magnified model was particularly useful for the instruction of anatomy and surgery. When a translucent area was selected, a bony labyrinth could be created together with an internal auditory meatus and facial nerve, which also contributed to the easy understanding of the inner ear structure. The three-dimensional prototyped model using selective laser sintering serves as a good educational material for middle ear anatomy and surgery.