Development of a Synthetic Training Model for Canine Thoracocentesis

Abstract

Thoracocentesis, a procedure in which air or fluid is removed from the pleural space, is used to relieve respiratory distress, and as a diagnostic procedure in human and veterinary medicine. Veterinary students commonly learn and practice the procedure on canine cadavers which are in limited supply and are not amenable to long-term storage and use. Practicing thoracocentesis on a cadaveric model also provides limited feedback indicative of success and/or procedural complications. One commercial model for practicing canine thoracocentesis is available, but it costs over US$2000 and is excessively bulky. In order to improve the learning process for veterinary students, we have developed a reusable synthetic canine thorax model that accurately replicates the thoracocentesis procedure, provides immediate feedback to the students and reduces the need for canine cadavers. The low cost of our product provides an efficient alternative to cadavers for instruction in veterinary schools or hospitals.

Editorial

“…These can be used to help students gain confidence and a preliminary skill base in various surgical techniques, such as suturing and thoracocentesis, before moving on to practise the techniques on live animals. 1,2 ATLA has also been among the first to promote various online resources, such as the Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum (OVAM), 3 which can be used to facilitate the acquisition of anatomical knowledge by students, without the need for in vivo dissection procedures. Many of these articles appeared in our Perspectives in Laboratory Animal Science (PiLAS) supplement, which ran from October 2012 to December 2015, with support from the Phoebe Wortley Talbot Trust.…”

The Value of Models

“…As well as being used in research and testing, non-animal alternative models have also been proven to be effective teaching and training tools, equivalent to — or often better than — their animal-based counterparts. Haller et al 2 describe the development of a reusable synthetic canine thorax model that can be used to train veterinarians in the thoracocentesis procedure. In this procedure, air or fluid is removed from the pleural space, in order to relieve respiratory distress and/or as a diagnostic method.…”