Septorhinoplasty (SRP) is one of the more challenging operations performed by facial plastic
surgeons. It has a steep learning curve to master the techniques that are necessary to improve
function. Reconstruction of nasal deformities requires an understanding of how the nose is
structured and supported in a three dimensional space. In a multi-institutional, cross-sectional
questionnaire, rhinoplasty was among one of the most common procedures that residents did not
feel comfortable completing by R5 level. Only 18% of year-5 residents reported having performed a
SRP independently. In a survey of 138 Canadian and American residents, 76.1% felt that nasal
osteotomies were one of the most difficult steps in rhinoplasty, followed by caudal septum/anterior
nasal spine manipulation (65.2%) and nasal tip sutures (55.8%). In this survey, up to 75% of
residents felt that simulator training would substantially improve their confidence to perform such
procedures (7). We believe that using a 3-D printed rhinoplasty model for residents will help build
their surgical skill set and confidence by giving them hands-on experience to the steps of
rhinoplasty, particularly osteotomies, in addition to training with cadevers. The aim of this pilot
study is to assess the comfort and confidence of residents by using a validated survey before and
after correcting common nasal deformities using a cheap and effective printed 3-D rhinoplasty
model.