Use of a 3D Printed, Color-Coded Airway Model for Bronchoscopy Training and Anatomy Learning

Figures & data

Figure 1. 3DP tracheobronchial models.

(A) From left to right second–fourth iteration of the model. (B) Half-size take home color-coded models. (C ) Bronchoscopic view of right-upper lobe. On the left is the anterior segment colored orange, at the top is the apical segment colored light gray, and on the right is the posterior segment colored yellow.

Table 1. Participant results of pre-, post- and practical tests.

Participant	Pretest	Post-test	Pre-bronchs	Post-bronchs	Practical
A	13/22	22/22	1	11	26/54
B	10/22	14/22	0	50	35/54
C	14/22	17/22	1	19	28/54
D	12/22	15/22	1	6	42/54
E	11/22	15/22	1	40	40/54
F	9/22	14/22	0	5	36/54
Mean	11.5 (σ 1.71)	16.2 (σ: 2.79)	0.47	21.8	34.5 (σ 5.82)

Included are the number of patient bronchoscopies completed preceding the pre- and post-test for each participant.

Table 2. Results of the questionnaire.

Question	Response
Using the 3D-printed tracheobronchial model was overall helpful for my training as a pulmonary critical care fellow (1–5)	4.75 (SD = 0.43)
I would recommend using the 3D-printed tracheobronchial model for training future pulmonary critical care fellows (1–5)	4.5 (SD = 0.87)
The 3D-printed tracheobronchial model accurately represented human anatomy (1–5)	4.25 (SD = 0.43)
Using the 3D-printed tracheobronchial model improved my knowledge of tracheobronchial anatomy (1–5)	4.5 (SD = 0.50)
The 3D-printed tracheobronchial model appears visually realistic endoscopically as a bronchoscopy simulator (1–5)	3.5 (SD = 1.12)
The 3D-printed tracheobronchial model felt (tactile) realistic during bronchoscopy simulation (1–5)	3.25 (SD = 1.48)
I felt the training protocol facilitated learning of tracheobronchial anatomy (1–5)	4 (SD = 1.22)
I felt the training protocol facilitated learning of bronchoscopy (1–5)	4.25 (SD = 1.30)
I would use the 3D-printed tracheobronchial model for pre-procedure planning and practice (1–5)	3.75 (SD = 1.09)
The take home 3D-printed tracheobronchial model is a useful tool to review anatomy (1–5)	4.50 (SD = 0.87)
In the past month I have used the home 3D-printed model this number of times to review	Three respondents one–five-times, one respondent 16+ times
Selected comments	‘Strength- great visual tool to learn bronchoscopy and orientation Weakness- colors are very similar in hue which makes the key difficult to use’ ‘I did find the larger model helpful to practice on. The smaller take-home models were less useful since you could not visualize what the airways looked like endoscopically. I would recommend some sort of tool or photos that fellows can take home to review what the anatomy looks like endoscopically’ ‘Instead of providing a simple list with the color coding, it would be helpful to have a picture of the same model with the same color scheme and with arrows pointing to each segment or subsegment with the respective names’ ‘I think the training would be improved by greater time practicing with a scope with an attending’

Likert style questions are rated from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree. Comments were requested regarding strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.