Design and development of low-cost tissue replicas for simulation of rare neonatal congenital defects.

Studies have shown that simulation can be a valuable tool for training pediatric surgeons to perform thoracoscopic repair of rare congenital anomalies [1-3]. The previously evaluated models were high fidelity, hybrid models that required the use of fetal bovine or porcine tissue blocks within a simulated neonate chest cavity. Real tissue blocks can be expensive, and may not be readily available in some parts of the world.

Design and development of a laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement simulator.

Laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement is a common surgical procedure performed in infants. There are currently no commercially available simulation tools for pediatric surgeons to use for surgical training and practice purposes. We have created a low cost and reusable laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement model for use in pediatric surgical education.