Author(s)
Aaron J. Done, PhD
Marshall J. Fairres, BS
Cody J. Smith, BS
Shawn M. Stevens MD
Affiliation(s)
University of Arizona College of Medicine
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to describe a new low cost model for peritonsillar abscess drainage that may expedite clinical skills acquisition. Objectives: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a commonly encountered clinical entity. While PTA drainage is a relatively simple procedure technically, it can be difficult for trainees to understand the complex 3 dimensional anatomy of this region, especially considering cases where attendant anatomy is distorted by infection. To expedite acquisition of procedural competency, numerous models have been developed but are typically limited by their high cost, lack of clinical fidelity, and limited reusability. We demonstrate here a novel, concept design for a cost effective PTA model that addresses these concerns and may expedite clinical skills acquisition. Study Design: Concept proposal, clinical cadaveric model. Methods: A novel abscess model was developed that utilizes a commercially available, tieless latex balloon secured to a 10cm 14 gauge blunt tip needle by a latex O ring. This needle and balloon system allows easy placement of the abscess model into the extracapsular plane of either a fresh frozen or preserved cadaveric head. Results: Inflation with the abscess solvent creates uvular deviation, superior pole displacement and changes in tissue turgor akin to a clinically encountered PTA. Radiographic appearance of the model and clinical cases were compared. Location and appearance of the PTA model exhibited high fidelity compared to clinical cases. Both needle aspiration and incision/drainage closely mimicked clinical cases as graded by expert level providers. Excluding costs of cadaveric specimens and their handling, this system costs less than $1 USD per use. Conclusions: Using this novel deployment system, a PTA can be simulated at low cost while maintaining high clinical and radiographic fidelity.