A model for diagnosis and initial therapy of pneumothorax in the neonate.

Treatment of pneumothorax may require prompt and aggressive medical management. Currently, the only models for practicing detection and evacuation of pneumothoraces are in living animals. This paper describes a simple doll model for diagnosis and treatment with needle aspiration. This easily made model demonstrates unilateral or bilateral pneumothorax to test the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities of the trainee. The other major benefit is to avoid trauma or death in the living animal model.