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Emergency department burr hole simulation using 3D-printed model
Anisha Duvvi1, Mohammad Ganji2, Yasmine Habal3
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA; Metropolitan Hospital Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, USA.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|June 25, 2023
Summary
Emergency physicians can improve their skills and comfort with emergency department burr hole procedures using 3D-printed skull simulations. This training enhances proficiency in managing traumatic epidural hematoma (EDH) and reducing intracranial pressure (ICP).
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Simulation
Background:
- Traumatic epidural hematoma (EDH) is a critical condition requiring immediate intervention to manage increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
- Emergency physicians (EPs) may need to perform emergency skull trephination as a life-saving measure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess emergency medicine (EM) residents' comfort and difficulties with simulated emergency department (ED) burr hole procedures.
- To evaluate comfort levels before and after simulation of EDH cases.
Main Methods:
- A simulation using 3D-printed skulls and electric/manual drills.
- Recording subjective comfort levels pre- and post-procedure.
- Assessing objective procedural skills and time to completion.
Main Results:
- Twenty EM residents participated; median perforation times were 4s (electric) and 10s (manual).
- Post-simulation, 13 residents reported comfort above 5 (vs. 3 pre-simulation).
- Most participants successfully completed procedures with minimal difficulties.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed models effectively facilitate ED burr hole simulations.
- Simulation training enhances resident comfort and procedural skills for EDH management.
