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Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become increasingly affordable. Several research projects used 3D printing to create in vitro upper airways model. However, studies using a mainstream desktop 3D printer never performed geometric validation of their model. The aim of this study was to perform geometric validation of a pediatric upper airways model printed with a mainstream desktop 3D printer. Methods: Head computerized tomography (CT) scan of a 10-month-old female underwent segmentation between airways and surrounding anatomical structures. Airways segmentation allowed their measurement for further comparison with printed model. Head segmentation enabled the creation of a 3D printable volume file. To proceed to the geometric validation of the head model, the latter underwent a CT scan. Similar segmentation work was performed on the printed model for comparison. Overlap proportion between the original infant volume and the printed model as well as an average Hausdorff distance were calculated after manual alignment between the original and printed model. Results: Volumes were 12.31 cm3 and 12.32 cm3 for the pediatric and the printed model upper airways, respectively (0.08% difference). Dice coefficient of original and printed model was 0.92. The average Hausdorff distance was 0.21 mm. Conclusion: Desktop mainstream 3D printers can generate pediatric upper airway model with a high dimensional accuracy, as evidenced by our comprehensive geometrical validation.

Study Objective: Telemedicine (TM) for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treated patients may save health-care resources without compromising treatment effectiveness. We assessed the effect of TM (AirView Online System, ResMed) during the CPAP habituation phase on 3-month and 1-year treatment adherence and efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods: At CPAP initiation, 120 patients diagnosed with OSA were randomized to either usual care (UC) or TM during the habituation phase (clinical registration: ISRCTN12865936). Both groups received a first face-to-face appointment with a sleep care giver at CPAP initiation. Within the following month, 2 other physical visits were scheduled in the UC group whereas two phone consultations were planned in the TM group, in which CPAP parameters were remotely adapted. Additional physical visits were programmed at the patient's request. Face-to-face consultations were scheduled at 3 and 12 months after CPAP initiation. The primary outcome was the mean CPAP daily use over the course of 12 months.Results: Twenty of 60 patients stopped CPAP therapy in the UC group vs. 14 of 60 in the TM group (p = 0.24). In per protocol analysis, mean [95% CI] daily CPAP use among 86 patients still using CPAP at 12 months was 279 [237; 321] min in the 38 patients on UC and 279 [247; 311] min in the 43 patients on TM, mean difference [95% CI]: 0 [−52; 52] min, P = 0.99. Total consultation time per patient was not different between groups, TM: 163 [147; 178] min, UC: 178 [159; 197] min, difference: −15 [−39; 9] min, p = 0.22.Conclusions: Telemedicine during the CPAP habituation phase did not alter daily CPAP use or treatment adherence and did not require more healthcare time. Telemedicine may support clinic attendance for CPAP titration.Clinical Trial Registration: [ISRCTN], identifier [ISRCTN12865936].