The Glasgow Temporal Bone Course was started in 1976, by Mr Alastair Pettigrew using cadaver bones. However, because of changes in the law in the UK, these became unavailable in the middle 90s and the course had to use the plastic temporal bones which he had invented. These artificial bones were well received by the subsequent 400 participants on the course. Although he retired from clinical practice in 2008, he continues to make and sell his bones.
He also became aware from the recent literature that his bones had certain advantages over the newer simulation technologies in relation to the tympanic membrane, ossicles and the facial nerve. Moreover, a perforation of the tympanic membrane, or a cholesteatoma can be introduced to his bones to provide a challenge to the young surgeon.
He encourages aspiring otologists worldwide to make all their surgical mistakes on some form of simulator and not on patients.
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