title: A computer-based simulator for diagnostic peritoneal lavage.
abstract: Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is an emergency diagnostic procedure performed when intra-abdominal bleeding secondary to trauma is suspected. This procedure is part of the surgical skills section of the Advanced Trauma Life Support course. DPL is traditionally taught using anesthetized animals or cadavers. For reasons described below, these alternatives are not ideal. We have developed a computer-based diagnostic peritoneal lavage simulator. Our system addresses the shortcomings of the traditional method. We have used our system to teach ATLS. Preliminary results suggests that our system is effective.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Simulation Laboratory, National Capital Area Medical Simulation Center, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. aliu@simcen.usuhs.mil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ritchie
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000826:Animal Testing Alternatives; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003479:Curriculum; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*; D014584:User-Computer Interface