Establishing a Temporal Bone Laboratory in Teaching Institutes to Train Future Otorhinolaryngologists and Fundamentals of Temporal Bone Laboratory: Considerations and Requirements

Novel Concept, Design and Feasibility Test of Hybrid Temporal Bone and Sheep Head Holder

We present a first feasibility and usability assessment of a novel commercial hybrid temporal and sheep head holder. Feasibility tests were conducted on human cadaveric and sheep temporal bone based on common otologic procedures. Overall practicality of using this device for cadaveric temporal bone dissections was evaluated. Beneficial aspects included ease of usage, handling, fixing and stability, inbuilt irrigation system, compartments for instrument placement, ergonomics and overall satisfaction. The novel hybrid Temporal and sheep bone holder bears the potential to provide benefits for cadaveric and sheep bone dissections.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-021-02612-x.

Suitable Alternative for Human Cadaver Temporal Bone Dissection: Comparative Micro Ear Anatomy of Cattle, Pig and Sheep with Human

The study was undertaken to compare the micro ear anatomy of three commonly available animal models which are expected to have similar anatomy to human and to find out suitable model among them as an alternative for human cadaver temporal bone dissection. This is an observational study of comparison of micro ear anatomy of the three animal models with human. Decapitated heads of cattle, pig and sheep were collected from slaughter houses, soft tissues along with brain were removed and preserved in commercially available formalin preservative. CT scan was taken for the three specimens and 3D reconstructions were done. Each specimen was subjected to micro dissection and the anatomical features were studied and compared with human. Among the three animal models sheep is found to be an ideal model for a beginner because of ease of exposure of bone, very thin cortical bone, and no cellularity, good exposure of all the middle ear structures and similar interrelations of middle ear structures with human. Pig may not be an ideal model because of abundant fatty soft tissues, thick periosteum very narrow space occupied by the middle ear, difficulty in accessing cellularity small fragile ossicular chain and overhanging facial nerve.