Learning Objectives:
Ear surgical techniques require progressive training. Cadaveric temporal bone drilling practice constitutes an essential stage in training for the surgical approach to these complex anatomic structures. The resident in training must master the use of the surgical microscope, the burr, and fine drilling instruments used in otological dissection. This kind of practice is also necessary to learn anatomy of the temporal bone in surgical position which is different from the imaging and the classical anatomical representation. Since a few years, due to economical reasons, the operating duration has to be more and more limited, and time spent for teaching in the operating room is dramatically reduced. Cadaveric temporal bone dissection is a good alternative teaching method. Finally, learning from its mistakes is necessary in surgical practice and it is of course safer on cadaveric specimen than on living beings. The pedagogic interest of this kind of teaching has been largely demonstrated, and is an additional tool, with virtual surgery and simulators increasing surgical practice acquisitions safely.
