Nuevo modelo de simulador para neuroendoscopía

Abstract

Objectives: Ventricular endoscopy is considered an excellent technique. However, without an optimal learning curve, it could lead to deadly complications.
There are synthetic simulation models that replicate the ventricular anatomy with high fidelity but high costs. Some low-cost models have been published using human corpses for endoscopic training; however, materials’ acquisition is difficult. A different option is live biological models (laboratory rodents), although cost is lower, they are questioned from an ethical point of view.
The ideal simulator, in addition to aspiring maximum fidelity, must be accessible, affordable and easy to replicate to facilitate repetitive training.
Methods: A simulation model using bovine brain and membrane units made by a soda cup covered by an amniotic membrane. We placed the bovine brain and the amniotic membrane units inside an expanded polystyrene spherical container; once the sphere is formed, we inserted two trocars, which will enabled us to insert the neuroendoscope and fill it with water.
Result: We introduced an attainable and realistic new model for neuroendoscopic simulation, which replicates biopsy, tissue coagulation, fenestration, and membrane dilatation exercises.
Conclusion: Simulators for neuroendoscopy described so far are reliable, but they entail a high cost. Models with live animals, although with lower cost, are questioned from an ethical point of view.
In the current work, we describe a high fidelity ventricular neuroendoscopic simulator model that, due to its low cost, allows to be replicated in any training center that has a neuroendoscope.