[A New Teaching Model for Practicing Ultrasound-guided Regional Anesthesia Techniques]

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation and Training
• Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
• Anesthesiology Education

Background:

• Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are crucial for regional anesthesia.
• Effective training models are needed to improve proficiency and safety.
• Existing models may lack tactile feedback or realistic tissue simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel ultrasound-guided nerve block training model.
• To assess the efficacy of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and borax 'slime' simulator.
• To measure improvements in procedural time and needle accuracy for novice users.

Main Methods:

• A simulator was constructed using PVA and borax slime in a plastic case.
• Seventeen subjects with no prior ultrasound-guided nerve block experience participated.
• Subjects performed simulated nerve blocks five times, measuring time to needle placement on target gauze layers.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in procedural time were observed from the first to the third/fifth attempts.
• By the fourth and fifth experiments, all subjects accurately visualized the needle and achieved target placement.
• The training model demonstrated improvements in both speed and accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The developed slime-based ultrasound-guided nerve block training model is effective.
• The simulation enhances user proficiency, reducing procedural time and improving safety.
• This model offers a valuable tool for training novice practitioners in ultrasound-guided nerve blocks.