Abstract

Simulation models allow trainees to acquire and develop procedural skills without compromising patient safety. Complex inferior vena cava (IVC) filter retrieval requires the operator to be proficient at using devices, such as endobronchial forceps, and advanced techniques to carefully dissect free embedded filter tips encased in fibrous tissue adherent to the IVC. Therefore, it is important to develop an effective, inexpensive model to simulate tip-embedded IVC filter retrieval.Silicone tubes (Flexi-Seal SIGNAL, ConvaTec Inc., Skilman, NJ), IVC filters (Cook Günther Tulip Vena Cava Filter, Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN), and endobronchial forceps (Lymol Medical, Woburn, MA) were obtained to assemble the model. A total of 12 combinations of adhesive binding methods were used to adhere IVC filter fragments to the silicone tubes, and these were blind tested. A single operator with over 10 years of experience using forceps scored the adhesives subjectively on a three-point scale for adherence, elasticity, and tactile feel. The adhesive most similar to IVC fibrous tissue was selected to assemble the final tip-embedded IVC filter model. 20 trainees were then assigned to practice on the model. A 3-point scale scoring metric objectively measured confidence before and after training on the model.Sil-poxy Silicone Adhesive (Smooth-On, Macungie, PA) was found to be the most similar to human IVC fibrous tissue with an average score of 3 of 3 on all metrics. Comparing scores from before and after use of the model, trainee confidence improved significantly (p < 0.1) in all three categories from 1.20 to 2.10 (handling forceps), 1.05 to 2.15 (understanding tactile feel of fibrous tissue), and 1.05 to 1.70 (overall confidence).The development of a low-cost simulator for embedded IVC filters is feasible and can be used to improve trainee confidence and skill for complex IVC filter retrieval.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.acra.2019.08.008

View details for PubMedID 31548112