NU 2012-177

Inventors

Katherine Barsness*

Lauren Davis

Abstract

Northwestern researchers have developed a simulation educational tool that can improve pediatric surgery training at 47 programs North America and others throughout the world. This surgical simulator reproduces all key components of neonatal thorascopic diaphragmatic hernia (DH) repair and improves upon existing simulators as it replicates the entire operation and utilizes real tissue. DH is a congenital anomaly (hole in diaphragm allows intestines to move into chest cavity) that requires surgical correction shortly after birth. While surgical repair has historically been performed through a large abdominal incision, newer surgical techniques allow the procedure to be performed using three small chest incisions (thoracoscopic repair). The advantages include less scarring, less pain and faster recovery for the children. However, a thoracoscopic repair in a newborn infant is challenging due to space limitations. The entire operation takes place inside the space of an egg. Several studies on thoracoscopic DH repair show a higher recurrence rate, compared to the traditional repair. The higher recurrence is likely related to technical errors occurring during the thoracoscopic repair. A simulator that reproduces all key components of the operation, including the size limitations of a newborn chest, could be used to improve minimally invasive skill sets of pediatric surgeons. The model is an exact replica (ribs size/spacing and chest dimensions) of a neonatal chest, completed with fetal bovine diaphragm and intestine. All key components of the operation are included in the model, including opportunities for error and error assessment.

Applications

• Minimally invasive training courses for practicing pediatric surgeons
• Board certification for pediatric surgeons
• Hospital privileges
• Maintenance

Advantages

• Recreates the operative environment in its entirety
• Replicates accuracy of size limitations
• Utilizes real tissue for suturing, replicating intra-operative environment
• Reproduces entire operation
• Improves surgical performance at all levels of experience by measuring error occurrence and error assessment

Publication

Barsness KA, Rooney DM, Davis LM and Vozenilek JA (2013) Collaboration in Simulation: The Development and Initial Validation of a Novel Thoracoscopic Neonatal Simulator. Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 48: 1232-38.

IP Status

A provisional patent application has been filed.