EFFECTIVENESS OF EPIDURAL APPLICATIONS IN ULTRASOUND-GUIDED AND 3-D PRINTED LUMBAR SPINAL MODEL IN ANESTHESIA ASSISTANT TRAINING
Project no. 32271 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2024
Summary
<p><strong>Introduction</strong></p><p>Epidural anesthesia is one of the most challenging procedures for anesthesia residents to learn. Procedural success largely depends on experience and the number of attempts. Therefore, before practicing on real patients, gaining skills with appropriate simulation models is of critical importance during training. In this study, we aimed to develop a low-cost lumbar epidural model produced using 3D printing technology and to share our experiences in this process.</p><p><strong>Materials and Methods</strong></p><p>Thirty-six anesthesiology residents working at a university hospital were randomly divided into two groups. Residents in Group A received hands-on training with the 3D-printed epidural model in addition to audiovisual theoretical lectures, while residents in Group B attended only audiovisual theoretical lectures. Both groups were evaluated for procedural success at baseline (hour 0), 3 hours, and 6 hours using the Checklist Score and the Global Rating Scale.</p><p><strong>Results</strong></p><p>At baseline, the success of epidural block performance was similar between the two groups. However, at the 3rd and 6th hours, a significant improvement was observed in Group A. Initial pre-checklist scores showed no difference between the groups (p=0.888). After 3 hours (p<0.001) and 6 hours (p<0.001) of training, scores in Group A were significantly higher. Although both groups showed improvement over time, the increase was more pronounced in Group A (p<0.001).</p><p>Regarding procedure duration, Group A showed a significant reduction after training (from 149±24 s to 107±26 s; p<0.001). In Group B, the decrease was more limited (from 148±26 s to 142±22 s; p=0.018).</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p>Training with the 3D-printed model shortened the procedure time of residents by an average of 42 seconds and significantly improved not only technical proficiency but also overall procedural efficiency.</p>