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Abstract
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Background and Aims Simulation is an important learning tool with growing interest in anesthesiology practice. To our knowledge, there is no low-cost medical model to simultaneously simulate peripheral nerve blocks and catheterization of central vascular accesses guided by ultrasound. Our goal was the creation of a low cost and high reliability medical model for this purpose.
Methods We present a model for training of ultrasound guided vascular catheterization and nerve block techniques. We have developed a simple low-cost anatomical phantom from pork meat. A yellow long tubular balloon with spaghetti inside simulates the nerve, a red long tubular balloon with a paper straw and red dye inside simulates an artery and a long blue tubular balloon with blue dye inside simulates a vein. We describe all the materials needed, as well as the preparation method.
Results Using an ultrasound, we recognize the three types of vasculo-nervous structures, the nerve as a hyperechoic non-compressible structure with a honeycomb appearance, the artery as a hypoechoic non-compressible structure and the vein as a hypoechoic compressible structure. The phantom we created, made of meat, seems to be an extremely realistic simulation of the human tissues, as well as a safe and cost-effective method of learning. It is easy to create, with materials that are easily accessible and low-cost.
Low-cost phantom
Conclusions Simulation is becoming a routine part of anesthesiology education and training. Regional anesthesia and vascular catheterization are easy reproducible techniques. Our model is simple, inexpensive, and realistic and we believe it is a very useful training tool for any anesthesiology department.