Novel animal model for teaching chest tube placement.

Background: The number of procedures available to pediatric residency trainees is few in number and patient size leaves little margin for error. Artificial simulation labs have not been developed for neonatal chest tubes. Use of live animal models is coming under increased scrutiny and is expensive.

Methods: We conducted a simulation skills lab for neonatal chest tube placement using a fryer chicken model. Thirty incoming pediatric interns were prospectively queried on comfort levels of inserting chest tubes prior to and following the simulation lab.

Results: On a 5-point Likert scale, comfort levels increased from a median of 1 to 3. All interns reported feeling more comfortable with chest tube placement and all reported having better understanding of the process of chest tube placement following the procedure lab.

Conclusion: The fryer chicken model is an advantageous, effective model of teaching chest tube placement.