Validation of the Soft Embalmed Thiel Cadaver as a High Fidelity Simulator of Pressure during Targeted Nerve Injection

Graeme McLeod (Lead / Corresponding author), Shengli Zhang, Amy Sadler, Anu Chandra, Panpan Qiao, Zhihong Huang, Christine Demore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
243 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: Although administration of regional anaesthesia nerve blocks has increased during the COVID 19 pandemic, training opportunities in regional anaesthesia have reduced. Simulation training may enhance skills, but simulators must be accurate enough for trainees to engage in a realistic way - for example detection of excessive injection pressure. The soft embalmed Thiel cadaver is a lifelike, durable simulator that is used for dedicated practice and mastery learning training in regional anaesthesia. We hypothesised that injection opening pressure in perineural tissue, at epineurium and in subepineurium were similar to opening pressures measured in experimental animals, fresh frozen cadavers, glycol soft-fix cadavers and patients.

Methods: We systematically reviewed historical data, then conducted 3 validation studies delivering a 0.5ml hydrolocation bolus of embalming fluid and recording injection pressure. First, we delivered the bolus at 12ml.min-1 at epimysium, perineural tissue, epineurium, and in subepineurium at 48 peripheral nerve sites on three cadavers. Second, we delivered the bolus at using three infusion rates: 1ml.min-1, 6ml.min-1 and 12ml.min-1 on epineurium at 70 peripheral nerve sites on five cadavers. Third, we repeated three injections (12ml.min-1) at 24 epineural sites over the median and sciatic nerves of 3 cadavers.

Results: Mean (95%) injection pressure was greater at epineurium compared to subepineurium [geometric ratio 1.2 (95%CI: 0.9 – 1.6)], P = 0.04; and perineural tissue [geometric ratio 5.1 (95%CI: 3.7 – 7.0)], P < 0.0001. Mean (95%) injection pressure was greater at 12ml.min-1 compared to 1ml.min-1 [geometric ratio 1.6 (95%CI: 1.2 – 2.1), P = 0.005]. Pressure measurements were similar in study 3 (P > 0.05 for all comparisons).

Discussion: We conclude that the soft embalmed Thiel cadaver is a realistic simulator of injection opening pressure.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)540-548
Number of pages9
JournalRegional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Volume46
Issue number6
Early online date27 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 May 2021

Keywords

  • Technology
  • Education
  • Patient Simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validation of the Soft Embalmed Thiel Cadaver as a High Fidelity Simulator of Pressure during Targeted Nerve Injection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this