Validation of an Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Curriculum Using 3D ‐Printed Models: A Prospective Study

Objectives Despite functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) being a commonly performed procedure by otolaryngologists, no standardized curriculum for FESS training currently exists. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a rhinology curriculum involving teaching and assessing the knowledge base and surgical knowledge required for FESS training. Methods A prospective study with 18 otolaryngology residents was conducted at a tertiary academic institution. The rhinology curriculum implemented in this study consisted of didactic learning, simulation‐based instruction, and evaluation of surgical performance in live operative cases. A knowledge‐based pretest and post‐test was administered alongside a final post‐training survey to evaluate overall confidence and perceived value of the curriculum. Statistical analyses comparing pre‐ and post‐intervention performance, knowledge scores, and confidence levels were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum. Results Eighteen otolaryngology residents participated in the study, and 17 residents completed both the knowledge‐based testing and simulation‐based performance assessments. All 17 residents demonstrated improvement in post‐test scores compared to pre‐test performance. The total knowledge score increased significantly, with a mean gain of 25.9 points (95% CI: 19.9–31.8; p < 0.001). Of the 17 simulation tasks completed on the 3D‐printed model, residents showed statistically significant improvement in 16 tasks, with scores increasing by an average of 0.53 to 1.59 on a 5‐point scale. 50% of residents strongly agreed that the course was helpful. Conclusions This structured rhinology curriculum significantly improved resident knowledge, technical performance, and confidence in performing FESS. Future studies should evaluate postoperative outcomes and long‐term skill retention. Level of Evidence 3.