A simple device to teach tube thoracostomy.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Emergency Medicine Training

Background:

• Chest tube insertion is a fundamental skill in medical and surgical training.
• Current training methods may lack cost-effectiveness or reproducibility.
• There is a need for accessible, hands-on educational tools for tube thoracostomy placement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a cost-effective and easily reproducible method for hands-on education of tube thoracostomy placement.
• To introduce a novel training device for chest tube insertion.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the developed training model.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a wood base with a secured rack of ribs to simulate the thorax.
• Utilizing partially inflated examination gloves and bagels to mimic the lung and diaphragm.
• Development of a life-like, cost-efficient thoracostomy model.

Main Results:

• The created model allows for proficiency training in chest tube insertion.
• 123 military personnel demonstrated satisfactory performance using the model.
• 4 personnel required remediation, and 7 were identified as instructor potential.

Conclusions:

• A simple, inexpensive training device for chest tube insertion has been developed.
• The device was successfully tested on 134 military personnel.
• This method provides a practical solution for training tube thoracostomy placement.