A New Simulation Model for Skin Abscess Identification and Management
Objective.-Cutaneous abscesses are common, and abscess identification with incision and drainage is a curative procedure that can be performed in out-of-hospital environments. While medical simulation models can enable proficiency in such skills, current abscess models described in the literature suffer from limitations. The author presents a novel abscess management training simulator evaluated by physicians.
Methods.-To create the simulator, mock purulent material is injected into an artificial "abscess wall" that has been tunneled near the surface of a chicken breast. The simulation model was evaluated by 20 physicians familiar with abscess identification and management. Evaluators assessed the model and answered 2 closed-ended questions regarding the model with an opportunity for open-ended feedback. Physicians were then shown ultrasound images of the simulated abscess along with 2 real abscesses and evaluated the sonographic fidelity of the ultrasound model via a closed-ended question.
Results.-All 20 physician evaluators agreed that an abscess simulator model would be a useful teaching tool and that this particular abscess model would be a useful teaching tool. Evaluators commented on the excellent realism of the model and also a limitation from an absence of mock purulent loculations. When evaluators responded to the statement "the ultrasound image of the simulated abscess appears realistic," 10% of individuals "strongly agreed" and 90% of individuals "agreed" with this statement (n ฯญ 20).
Conclusions.-This new simulation model is realistic, simple to create, and may be an effective tool to teach cutaneous abscess management. Physicians who evaluated the simulated abscess found that it replicates the classic palpable fluctuance and ultrasound findings of an actual abscess and can be surgically incised and drained in a similar fashion. While physicians agreed that this model would be useful, future studies may validate this task trainer as an effective teaching tool.