A Simple and Low-Cost Cryotherapy Training Model for Medical Trainees

Cryotherapy is a widely used dermatologic procedure, but it can be challenging for medical trainees to perform safely. We developed a simple, low-cost, synthetic fabric-based simulation model that uses a handheld liquid nitrogen device to help trainees practice trigger control and margin visualization before treating patients. The model allows trainees to target custom-drawn "lesions," develop proprioception for precise bursts, and avoid the tendency to spray continuously, a common mistake among early learners. Although the simulation does not replicate the three-dimensional properties of the skin or correlate surface frost size with actual ice-ball depth, it provides a safe and accessible way to build foundational cryotherapy skills. It can serve as an introductory step before supervised patient care or more advanced simulation training.