Enhancing Access to Neuraxial Ultrasound Phantoms for Medical Education of Pediatric Anesthesia Trainees: Tutorial

Opportunities to learn ultrasound-guided/assisted (USGA) neuraxial techniques for pediatric patients are limited, given the inherent high stakes and small margin of error in this population. Simulation is especially valuable in pediatrics because it enhances competency and efficiency, without added risk, when learning new skills, specifically those seen with ultrasound-guided regional anesthetic techniques. However, access to simulation opportunities involving the use of phantom models in medical education is limited due to excessive costs. We describe a process for producing ultrasound phantoms by using synthetic ballistic gelatin; these ultrasound phantoms can be used for simulation and are affordable, reproducible, and indefinitely shelf stable. The ultrasound images produced by these phantoms are comparable to those obtained from a real pediatric patient, including the sacral anatomy necessary for caudal epidural blocks, as validated by practicing pediatric anesthesiologists. Phantom models offer a more cost-effective alternative to commercially prepared phantoms, thereby expanding access to realistic simulations for neuraxial ultrasound in pediatric medical education, without the prohibitively high expense.