Background: The ability to palpate neck masses and lymph nodes and appreciate qualities such as size, location, and consistency is critical for patient care and an important clinical skill for all physicians. Medical students currently learn neck palpation by practicing on healthy, standardized patients; however, studies of similar procedures have shown that educational models with simulated pathology help improve technique and confidence.
Objective: Our goal was to create a tissue-mimicking neck model with palpable masses.
Methods: Iterative design and development of a high-fidelity neck model using polyvinyl alcohol-cryogel (PVA-C), a nontoxic and biocompatible polymer that exhibits favourable tissue-mimicking elastic properties. Model geometries were digitally reconstructed from high-resolution cadaveric magnetic resonance imaging sections to create physical moulds through stereolithography. PVA-C was formulated to mimic the characteristics of human tissue.
Results: A life-like neck model was built and consists of these components: muscle, larynx, spine, soft tissue, pathologic nodes, and skin.
Discussion: A final neck model prototype has been completed and will be evaluated by otolaryngology consultants and residents for face and construct validity and assessed in a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate how it impacts students' ability to detect neck masses.