T. P. Williams1, C. Sommerhalder1, A. Chacin1, C. Snyder1, S. C. Delao1, K. Kahrig1, A. Perez1 1University Of Texas Medical Branch,Department Of Surgery,Galveston, TX, USA
Introduction: In a recent survey of medical students at our institution, suturing was the most desired workshop for simulation, with 93% of students requesting additional practice. The cost and quality of skin pads for suturing practice is often prohibitive for suturing workshops. Literature describing creation of non-commercial, low-cost simulation models remains scarce.
Methods: Using UTMB’s MakerHEALTH® workshop, an in-hospital fabrication laboratory, we have developed a high fidelity and low-cost model for skin and subcutaneous tissue (Figure 1). Our layered model simulates the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat, fascia, and muscle using 90% nylon/10% spandex power mesh and Smooth-On® silicone materials including Dragon Skin™, Eco-Flex™, and Soama-Foama 15™.
Results:The materials cost of our skin pad model was 52.6% of the mean cost of five different commonly used foam and silicone based commercial skin models. Production of thirty 3.125’’ x 5’’ skin pads is achievable in under one hour of working time using our protocol. Our low-cost model is more durable than the commercial models, does not require skin pad holders, and is of higher fidelity than the more expensive commercial products. In addition to skin closure, our model may be used to simulate fascial closure or fasciotomy.
Conclusion:Model creation using in-hospital workspaces is an effective strategy to decrease cost of surgical simulation. Our methods for creation of an inexpensive skin pad may be purposed for several soft tissue models and distributed for widespread use.
