Background: The technical complexity and limited casuistry of neonatal surgical pathology limit the possibilities of developing the necessary technical competencies by specialists in training. Esophageal atresia constitutes the paradigm of this problem. The use of 3D models for training is a promising line of research, although the literature is limited. Methods: We conceptualized, designed, and produced an anatomically realistic model for the open correction of type III oesophageal atresia. We validated it with two groups of participants (experts and non-experts) through face, construct, and content validity questionnaires. Results: The model was validated by 9 experts and 9 non-experts. The mean procedure time for the experts and non-experts groups was 34.0 and 38.4 minutes respectively. Two non-experts did not complete the procedure at the designed time (45 minutes). Regarding the face validity questionnaire, the mean rating of the model was 3.2 out of 4. Regarding the construct validity, we found statistically significant differences between groups for the equidistance between sutures, 100% correct in the expert group vs. 42.9% correct in the non-expert group (p=0.02), and for the item: Confirms that tracheoesophageal fistula closure is watertight before continuing the procedure, correctly assessed by 66.7% of the experts vs. by 11.1% of non-experts (p=0.05). Concerning content validity, the mean score was 3.3 out of 4 for the experts and 3.3 out of 4 for the non-experts (p=0.32). Conclusions: The present model is a cost-effective, simple to produce, and validated option for the training of open correction of type III oesophageal atresia. Future studies with larger sample sizes and blinded validators are needed before drawing definitive conclusions.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. None of the authors have external funding to declare.

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

This project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Navarra on 13.4.2023 under code 2023.059.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

The data used to carry out this study are available upon request from the review authors.