Abstract
ObjectiveTo develop an animal model for teaching open laryngotracheal surgical procedures.MethodsThe heads and necks from 5 pre-pubescent sheep were harvested after humane anesthesia. After 2–5 days to allow for rigor mortis to resolve, a specimen was supported with sandbags on an operating table. Operative procedures including tracheotomy, medialization laryngoplasty, anterior cartilage grafting, tracheal resection with primary anastomosis, and laryngectomy with closure of the pharynx were attempted.ResultsThe ovine head and neck provided an accurate model for simulation of all attempted procedures. Ovine tissue resembled that of humans in mechanical properties and handling. Postsurgical endoscopy confirmed graft alignment.ConclusionsThe sheep head and neck provides an inexpensive, realistic, and safe model for surgical training for a variety of open laryngotracheal procedures. This is particularly relevant given the recent emphasis on surgical simulation and the relative rarity of some of these procedures in residency training.
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