A porcine rib cartilage model for practicing ear-framework fabrication.

Surgical training models should be readily available to enable practice in vitro until the trainee is comfortable with the procedure. It is also important that the anatomy of the training model sufficiently resembles that of humans. Here, we present our model for training surgeons to fabricate costal cartilage for total ear reconstruction, using porcine rib cartilage. Pig ribs are very familiar and available at grocery stores at a low cost. The greatest advantage of this training model is the realistic anatomy and tactile nature similar to that of human cartilage. Using this training model, trainees could learn how to fabricate an auricular framework that is stable and aesthetically pleasing.