In Vitro Surgical Cranium Model for Brain Mass Removal

The brain is a complex organ with many functions such as memory, concentration, and speaking. These functions become disrupted in the presence of a brain tumor, leading to severe complications and even death. A course of action to mitigate catastrophic health complications due to tumors in the brain is to remove the brain mass; however, brain tumor removal surgery is a complex procedure that must be done with utmost precision. Neurosurgeons and surgical residents are trained to conduct these craniotomies. Still, they have limited training opportunities due to either expensive and limited availability of models (e.g., cadaver training, animal in vivo training). While there are in vitro models that surgeons can practice on, they fail to balance affordability and accurate representation of the cranial environment. Therefore we propose an affordable in vitro cranial model that helps trainees gain surgical practice, improves surgical performance, and is compatible with surgical equipment. Our prototype consists of the three major tissue components that comprise the cranium (skin, skull, and brain) with a mass embedded in the brain. The materials used to construct the simulated tissues are chosen to have a relative likeness and similarity in the tissue’s respective properties. They were then modeled and assembled as a hemisphere of the human head. Future testings include verifying both a statistically significant decrease in craniotomy procedure time and an increase in mass removal accuracy after five training procedures. Developing an in-vitro cranium model that is affordable can aid surgeons and surgical residents in improving their craniotomy-specific surgical techniques. Surgeons who are better prepared to conduct craniotomies can ensure a higher chance of success rate and increase the competency of these procedures, which will result in better outcomes for tumor patients.