Implementation of a Low-Cost 3D-Printed Feline Larynx Model for Veterinary Students

Abstract

Endotracheal intubation (EI) in domestic cats is an important skill that veterinary students learn in order to perform anesthesia safely in this species. Implementing a 3D-printed larynx model (LaryngoCUBE) during the instruction process may improve student?s learning of EI in felines. Twenty-two third-year students performed EI in cats with standard training (ST), and 16 students trained with the model (MT) the day before the laboratory. It was evaluated whether training with the model decreases the time and number of EI attempts, students? perceived difficulty performing EI using a visual analog score (VAS; 0 cm = very easy, 10 cm = extremely difficult; median [minimum?maximum]), and the incidence of failure to perform EI. The EI time on ST (58 [18?160] seconds) was longer, but not statistically different from MT (29 [13?120] seconds; p = .101). The number of EI attempts on ST (2 [1?3]) was higher than MT (1 [1?3]; p = .005). The VAS on the ST and MT were 4.5 (0.0?10.0) cm and 3.0 (0.2?10.0) cm, respectively (p = .029). The failure rate was 27% on the ST and 25% on the MT (p = 1.000). Students who practiced with a larynx model took fewer attempts to perform EI, tended to be faster, and found that EI was easier. However, the EI success rate in MT was not improved.