title: A simple device to teach tube thoracostomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chest tube insertion is an important component of medical and surgical education. This article reports a cost-effective and easily reproducible method for hands-on education of tube thoracostomy placement.
  
  
  METHODS
  A wood base is constructed, and a large rack of ribs are secured to simulate the thorax. Partially inflated examination gloves and bagels are used to simulate the lung and diaphragm, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A life-like, cost-efficient thoracostomy model is created allowing for proficiency training in chest tube insertion. According to Advanced Trauma Life Support criteria, 123 military personnel were satisfactory, 4 remedial, and 7 instructor potential using the described model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have developed a simple, inexpensive training device for insertion of chest tubes and tested it on 134 military personnel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33606, USA. jessicaallenching@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Wachtel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education*; D008889:Military Personnel; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013907:Thoracostomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*