A Reproducible Peritonsillar Abscess Incision and Drainage Model for Junior Trainees

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the design and construction of a reproducible, low-cost, peritonsillar abscess (PTA) incision and drainage simulator and assess its impact on trainees’ confidence. Methods: The 2-part simulator we developed consisted of a manikin head with a fixed, partially open mouth and a modular PTA mold. The mold is created by injecting a lotion and water mixture into plastic bubbles, followed by silicone solidification. Neodymium magnets secure the silicone-abscess packet to the manikin’s palate. The simulator was utilized during an academic otolaryngology residency training program Annual Otolaryngology Boot Camp. A self-assessment Likert scale questionnaire was used to evaluate participants’ confidence before and after simulator training. Fourth-year medical students and junior (first and second year) residents who participated in the boot camp and agreed to complete the evaluation were included. Results: Three medical students, 17 PGY-1, and 10 PGY-2 residents agreed to complete the evaluation. All trainees agreed the model was useful for learning skills. The overall post-training confidence Likert scores of participants, and PGY-1 residents in particular, significantly improved compared to their pre-training scores ( P < .001). Conclusions: Our model offers an affordable and efficient training opportunity for residents to enhance their competence in managing PTAs. This approach, with its simple yet effective design and low production cost, shows potential for scalability on a broader scale.