2025/07/22 by Gisela A. Kristono, Henry Li, Peter Murray Watts +3 · 1 voice
Medicine · #Surgical Simulation and Training #Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology #Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/1742-6723.70101
openalex publication_date 2025/07/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
ABSTRACT Objectives Lumbar puncture (LP) simulators have high costs and suboptimal realism. This study aimed to develop an affordable, high‐fidelity and ultrasound‐compatible model. Methods We created a LP Simulator using three‐dimensional printing, silicon, ballistic gel and symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). This was an observational study comparing the DIY‐LP to a commercial simulator. Pre‐ and post‐surveys were done. Results A total of 18 emergency medicine doctors (12 junior and six senior) participated in the study. Ten participants (56%; five junior doctors and five consultants) were successful with the DIY‐LP simulator within the first two attempts without ultrasound guidance, compared with 13 participants (72%; seven junior doctors and six consultants) for the commercial simulator ( p ‐value 0.49). The majority of participants agreed that both models were useful as educational tools. Conclusion This study has demonstrated a low‐cost and ultrasound‐compatible LP model that is comparable to a commercial LP simulator.