A novel reusable three-dimensional printed canine epidural anesthesia simulator with consistent tactile feedback: a...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
• Medical Simulation and Training
• 3D Printing in Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Epidural anesthesia (EA) is a crucial procedure in veterinary medicine.
• Developing effective simulators is vital for training veterinary anesthetists.
• Current simulation methods may lack realistic anatomical and tactile fidelity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D-printed canine EA simulator with anatomical and tactile realism.
• To evaluate the educational effectiveness and user experience of the simulator.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CT data for 3D printing of canine vertebrae; soft tissues modeled with silicone and gelatin.
• Incorporated a replaceable gelatin block and a simulated ligamentum flavum for tactile feedback.
• Ten veterinary anesthetists rated tactile realism and educational utility; 72 students/novices performed simulated procedures, with confidence assessed pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• Anesthetists rated tactile realism highly (median ≥ 4.0), though visual fidelity received lower scores (median 3.5).
• Learning curves demonstrated reduced time to successful epidural placement after the fifth attempt.
• All participants achieved successful epidural placement within seven attempts, with significant increases in post-training confidence.

Conclusions:

• The 3D-printed canine EA simulator provides consistent, repeatable tactile feedback.
• It serves as a practical platform for training lumbosacral landmark identification and recognition of the epidural 'pop' sensation.
• The simulator effectively enhances trainee confidence and procedural skills in epidural anesthesia.