3D-Printed Skull Model for Enhancing Training in External Ventricular Drainage within Medical Education

3D-Printed Skull Model for Enhancing Training in External Ventricular Drainage within Medical Education | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Method Article 3D-Printed Skull Model for Enhancing Training in External Ventricular Drainage within Medical Education Katharina Scheidt, Fabian Kropla, Dirk Winkler, Robert Möbius, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4900875/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 03 Apr, 2025 Read the published version in 3D Printing in Medicine → Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background : The importance of reducing error rates in invasive procedures has led to the development of teaching phantoms. In collaboration with surgeons and engineers at the University Hospital of Leipzig, a new 3D-printed simulation model for external ventricular drainage was created. This model includes system-relevant components such as the ventricular system, the surrounding brain tissue and the skull bone to be trephined. Methods : The data required for analysis were extracted from medical images. The phantom consists of three components: the ventricular system, the brain mass, and the skull bone. The bone component was fabricated via 3D printing using a realistic hard polyamide, PA12. The ventricular system was also 3D printed as a hollow structure using a flexible material, Elastic Resin 50A from Formlabs . The brain tissue was modeled via a cast gelatin mold. The cerebrospinal fluid was a water solution. Results : The system’s initial tests successfully simulated cerebrospinal fluid flow through the tube into the ventricular system. The skull can be trepanned. Additional materials are required at the drilling sites because of chip formation. A more pointed cannula than usual can puncture the ventricular system. With a concentration of 30 g/l, gelatin is a realistic imitation of brain tissue. Conclusion : All essential components of the skull, brain and ventricle exhibit a degree of realism that has never been achieved before. In terms of its design and reproducibility, the model is exceptionally well suited for training and consolidating methods and procedures as part of a realistic training program for the placement of external ventricular drainage. 3D-printing external ventricular drain phantom Formlabs Elastic 50A Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 03 Apr, 2025 Read the published version in 3D Printing in Medicine → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 14 Nov, 2024 Reviews received at journal 06 Nov, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Oct, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Oct, 2024 Reviews received at journal 14 Oct, 2024 Reviews received at journal 30 Aug, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Aug, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 15 Aug, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 15 Aug, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 12 Aug, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 12 Aug, 2024 First submitted to journal 12 Aug, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4900875","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Method Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":347519393,"identity":"216fbb4b-115d-4650-a99e-680e43ec1278","order_by":0,"name":"Katharina 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