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Scientific Oral Presentation

Head and Neck Surgery

Laser Focused: Pilot Data for a 3d-printed Task Trainer for Laryngeal Laser Microsurgery

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:57 AM - 9:03 AM PT
Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 3

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Lauren E. Schlegel, MD

    Resident
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Gabriella A. Ojeda-Badillo, MD

    Resident
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • ST

    Stephanie E. Teng, MD

    Clinical Instructor
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School
    Boston, MA, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Ernest D. Gomez, MD, MTR

    Faculty
    Harvard Medical School
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Anne Hseu, MD

    Assistant Professor
    Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • DR

    Devika Rajeev, BS

    Research Assistant
    Boston Children's Hospital, United States

Disclosure(s):
Stephanie E. Teng, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Training in microlaryngeal laser surgery is inconsistent, and many residents report limited confidence and hands-on experience despite improved oncologic outcomes with higher case volumes. We developed and evaluated a low-cost, 3D-printed laser microlaryngeal surgery simulator to assess its educational value, usability, and impact on trainee performance.

Methods: A modular silicone laryngeal model was developed from open-source 3D files, scaled to approximate human anatomy, and designed with interchangeable vocal fold inserts containing simulated lesions. Otolaryngology residents and faculty completed a simulated laser excision task using standard microlaryngeal instruments and a surgical laser. Residents underwent pre- and post-simulation assessment using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Michigan Standard Simulation Experience Scale (MiSSES). All procedures were video recorded and scored by blinded expert raters using an adapted Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). Task completion time and subjective measures were compared before and after individualized feedback and repeat practice. Ongoing sessions will expand the dataset for more robust statistical analysis.

Results: To date, nine participants have completed the laser microlaryngeal surgery simulation, all of whom reported low baseline comfort with microlaryngeal procedures. Six participants strongly agreed and three somewhat agreed that the simulator was an effective training tool. Mean task completion time decreased by 133 seconds between simulation attempts. Procedural-based assessments using a 5-point scale demonstrated differences between junior and senior residents across multiple domains, including respect for tissue (2.0 vs. 3.2), efficiency of time and motion (1.8 vs. 2.8), and lateral dissection of the lesion from normal tissue (2.8 vs. 3.7).

Conclusions: This novel, 3D-printed laser microlaryngeal surgery simulator provides an accessible, scalable platform for deliberate practice and effective microlaryngeal skills training.