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A skin model for wound closure tuition
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Injury Vol. 26. No. 3, pp. 213-214, 1995 Copyright 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved ooze-1383/95 $10.00 + 0.00
Ideas and innovations
A skin model S. J. Southern Department
for wound
closure
tuition
and F. S. C. Browning
of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, St James’s Hospital, Leeds, UK
An easy to make skin model has been developed using commonly available materials. It allows simple wound closure to be practised safely on a medium which attempts to simulate the properties of soft fissue.
microwave with 10 ml of water for 30 s. The model is then left to set on a flat surface or on top of an identical container to create a convex surface. Once set, the model can be removed for use.
Closure techniques Injury,
Vol. 26, No. 3, 213-214,
1995
Introduction The majority of people are introduced to wound closure by attempts to suture pieces of green towel or foam and then move onto the real thing. An attempt has been made to produce a skin substitute which has some of its characteristics, giving a greater feel of tissuehandling and allowing a wider range of minor surgical techniques to be performed. It is also extremely easy and cheap to produce and is an ideal introduction for nursing and medical staff alike.
Creating defects on the model hasa similar feel to that of cutting skin and when an ellipse is excised a wedge of gel is easy to take with the foam due to their adherence (see Figure 3). Most types of skin closure can be practised such as adhesive strips, tissue glue and various suturing techniques including subcuticular closure (Figure 3).
Construction The model has both skin and underlying soft tissue components the bond between the two being the key to its success. Figtire I shows the materials required, namely a roll of surgical foam dressing, two plastic containers (denture pots are ideal) and gelatine or commercially available dessertjelly. The foam is stuck onto the pot, the bottom removed and the liquid gel added (Figtrre2). The correct consistency of the gel is obtained by placing the cubesin a
Figure 1. Materialsfor construction,
Figure 2. Gel addedto mould;creationof convex surface.
Figure 3. Closurewith adhesivestrips,tissueglueandsuturing.
Injury:
International
Journal
of the Care of the Injured
Vol. 26, No. 3, 1995
Subcutaneouslesions can also be simulated by sticking objects suchasdried pulsesto the foam prior to adding the gel. These can be palpated and then excised and closed (Figure 4).
Conclusion The skin model can be made easily and cheaply to provide a safe and realistic introduction into skin and soft tissue handling for those who are about to embark on the real thing.
Paper accepted 22 November 19%.
Figure 4. Incorporatedforeign body excised.
Requests for reprints should be addressed fo: Mr S. Southern, Department of Plastic and ReconstructiveSurgery, St James Hospital,LeedsLS97TF,UK.
Injury Vol. 26. No. 3, pp. 213-214, 1995 Copyright 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd Printed in Great Britain. All rights reserved ooze-1383/95 $10.00 + 0.00
Ideas and innovations
A skin model S. J. Southern Department
for wound
closure
tuition
and F. S. C. Browning
of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery, St James’s Hospital, Leeds, UK
An easy to make skin model has been developed using commonly available materials. It allows simple wound closure to be practised safely on a medium which attempts to simulate the properties of soft fissue.
microwave with 10 ml of water for 30 s. The model is then left to set on a flat surface or on top of an identical container to create a convex surface. Once set, the model can be removed for use.
Closure techniques Injury,
Vol. 26, No. 3, 213-214,
1995
Introduction The majority of people are introduced to wound closure by attempts to suture pieces of green towel or foam and then move onto the real thing. An attempt has been made to produce a skin substitute which has some of its characteristics, giving a greater feel of tissuehandling and allowing a wider range of minor surgical techniques to be performed. It is also extremely easy and cheap to produce and is an ideal introduction for nursing and medical staff alike.
Creating defects on the model hasa similar feel to that of cutting skin and when an ellipse is excised a wedge of gel is easy to take with the foam due to their adherence (see Figure 3). Most types of skin closure can be practised such as adhesive strips, tissue glue and various suturing techniques including subcuticular closure (Figure 3).
Construction The model has both skin and underlying soft tissue components the bond between the two being the key to its success. Figtire I shows the materials required, namely a roll of surgical foam dressing, two plastic containers (denture pots are ideal) and gelatine or commercially available dessertjelly. The foam is stuck onto the pot, the bottom removed and the liquid gel added (Figtrre2). The correct consistency of the gel is obtained by placing the cubesin a
Figure 1. Materialsfor construction,
Figure 2. Gel addedto mould;creationof convex surface.
Figure 3. Closurewith adhesivestrips,tissueglueandsuturing.
Injury:
International
Journal
of the Care of the Injured
Vol. 26, No. 3, 1995
Subcutaneouslesions can also be simulated by sticking objects suchasdried pulsesto the foam prior to adding the gel. These can be palpated and then excised and closed (Figure 4).
Conclusion The skin model can be made easily and cheaply to provide a safe and realistic introduction into skin and soft tissue handling for those who are about to embark on the real thing.
Paper accepted 22 November 19%.
Figure 4. Incorporatedforeign body excised.
Requests for reprints should be addressed fo: Mr S. Southern, Department of Plastic and ReconstructiveSurgery, St James Hospital,LeedsLS97TF,UK.