A low-cost, high-fidelity simulator for transabdominal chorionic villus sampling

Abstract

Introduction: Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) remains essential for first trimester genetic diagnosis, yet clinical volume may be insufficient to train new clinicians in the technique. Available simulation models are expensive, require animal parts or specialized resins, and cannot be stored for repeated use. Methods: We present a model for trans-abdominal CVS (TA-CVS) which is constructed from readily-available materials costing less than $10 and can be refrigerated and re-used to train maternal fetal medicine (MFM) fellows in CVS. Results: All three attending physicians performing TA-CVS at our institution described the model as an accurate visual and tactile simulation, prompting its integration into our fellowship curriculum. To date, two senior fellows have achieved competency on the simulator and begun to perform clinical CVS under supervision, one of whom is an author on this paper. Both fellows and attendings indicated that the simulator provided a valuable tool for repeated practice prior to clinical CVS. Simulators are now maintained on the unit and have been re-used for three months and dozens of simulated procedures each without any apparent qualitative degradation in performance. Discussion/Conclusion: We describe a low-cost easily constructed, durable, high-fidelity simulator for TA-CVS.