ABSTRACT
We developed a simulator using "slime" composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and borax to evaluate this new ultrasound-guided nerve block training model. Seventeen subjects used the training model in the present study. They had no previous experience in performing ultrasound-guided nerve block. A plastic case measuring 25 x 18 x 12 cm was filled with 8 cm of slime. Three pieces of gauze were placed between the slime layers at 2 cm intervals. An in-plane approach was used to visualize the needle for the nerve block, and the amount of time required to stop the needle on the second gauze was measured 5 times for each subject. Significant differences were observed between the times for the first experiment and those for the third experiment to the fifth experiment In the fourth and fifth experiments, all subjects visualized the nerve block needle clearly above the target layer and were able to stop the needle at the target layer. The present simulation using our proposed ultrasound-guided nerve block training model was useful in terms of the amount of time required to perform the procedure and as well as in terms of its safety.
