A4Development and evaluation of a chest cavity simulation model for teaching surgical chest drain insertion
Authors: Bog Ji Yun 
Published: October 2023

Background and aim:

Surgical chest drain insertion is indicated in pneumothorax or haemothorax secondary to thoracic trauma. It is a mandatory emergency procedure that is incorporated as a part of the core medical training curriculum [1]. However, sparse training opportunities result in low clinician competency and increased risk of complications. While simulation training can offer a solution, the affordability of commercial models and hygiene and ethical implications of animal carcasses are significant limiting factors. The aim of this project is to build a reusable, high-fidelity, low-cost human chest cavity model excluding animal use for simulation-based teaching of surgical chest drain insertion.

Methods:

To construct the model, plaster gauze, metal wires and u-channel rubber trims were used to build a ribcage. Soy-protein-based sausage casing was used to create the pleural layers, and the muscles and subcutaneous fat were represented with ADAMgel (Aqueous Dietary fibre Antifreeze Mix gel), a novel material with tactility and dissection sensation similar to human soft tissue [2]. Synthetic chamois leather was used to represent skin. The resulting model allowed locating the safe triangle using anatomical landmarks, blunt dissection of muscles, pleural puncturing and advancement and suturing of the chest tube. The model cost less than £130, and it could be repaired after over 20 uses with less than £15. Verbal consent on study participation was obtained from all participants who performed chest drain insertion on the model and evaluated its fidelity and educational value using an anonymized Likert scale questionnaire. All questionnaire responses were converted to numerical values for data quantification, as shown in Table 1-A4.

Median and range of questionnaire responses collected from study participants

Results:

Sixteen senior clinicians with multiple experience on chest drain insertion and 11 junior clinicians with limited experience took part in the study. Anatomical and haptic fidelity of the model was evaluated very highly amongst experienced clinicians. Junior doctors stated increased confidence in performing the procedure, overall assessing the model as an appropriate learning tool. Twenty participants with previous training experience compared the quality of this model to other commercial or animal-based models, and 18 rated this model to be of the same or superior quality.

Conclusion:

This chest cavity model is suitable for simulation training of chest drain insertion. Importantly, the model excluded the use of animals under the principle of replacing, refining and reducing animal use in research [3]. Further training opportunities that utilize this model can increase clinician competence in the procedure, which can improve clinical practice and reduce patient mortality.

Ethics statement:

Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.