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The case for the green banana: Using fruit to improve tenaculum placement simulation
Shelby Webb1, Dipti P Subramaniam1, Kristin Metcalf-Wilson1
1The Clinical Training Center for Sexual + Reproductive Health, Collaborative to Advance Health Services, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to identify a fruit that would resemble the 'feel' of a uterine cervix when compared to plastic pelvic models.
Study Design:
A group of experienced clinicians tested six different fruits and evaluated their suitability as a cervical simulation for tenaculum placement.
Results:
An unripe (green) banana was rated the highest in seven out of eight characteristics and was the only fruit to achieve a consensus for overall simulation above 70%.
Conclusions:
A green banana is an affordable and accessible option to simulate a cervix for procedures requiring tenaculum placement on a cervix.
