Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument

Background. In this study, we describe a custom-made new epidural simulator, created by modifying the inner structure of a commercially available one, in the attempt to make it adequately realistic. To validate and evaluate the realism of our device, we used the Computerized Epidural Instrument Comp...

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Main Authors: Giorgio Capogna, Alessandra Coccoluto, Emanuele Capogna, Angelica Del Vecchio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Anesthesiology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4710263
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author Giorgio Capogna
Alessandra Coccoluto
Emanuele Capogna
Angelica Del Vecchio
author_facet Giorgio Capogna
Alessandra Coccoluto
Emanuele Capogna
Angelica Del Vecchio
author_sort Giorgio Capogna
collection DOAJ
description Background. In this study, we describe a custom-made new epidural simulator, created by modifying the inner structure of a commercially available one, in the attempt to make it adequately realistic. To validate and evaluate the realism of our device, we used the Computerized Epidural Instrument CompuFlo. Method. The Compuflo CompuFlo curves obtained from 64 experiments on the epidural simulator were compared to 64 curves obtained from a previous human study, from consecutive laboring parturients requesting epidural analgesia. Results. Epidural simulator and human pressure curves were very similar. There was a significant difference between the drop of pressure due to false and true loss of resistance (LOR) in both the groups. Discussion. Our simulator can realistically reproduce the anatomical layers the needle must pass as demonstrated by the similarity between the simulator and human pressure curves and the small differences of pressure values recorded. CompuFlo may be used as an objective tool to create and assess and compare objectively the epidural task trainers.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1687-6962
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language English
publishDate 2018-01-01
publisher Wiley
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series Anesthesiology Research and Practice
spelling doaj-art-a507f1d1f7eb4e0cab98aefd68e723a62025-08-20T03:38:12ZengWileyAnesthesiology Research and Practice1687-69621687-69702018-01-01201810.1155/2018/47102634710263Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural InstrumentGiorgio Capogna0Alessandra Coccoluto1Emanuele Capogna2Angelica Del Vecchio3European School of Obstetric Anesthesia (EESOA), Maternal Neonatal Simulation Centre, Roma, ItalyEuropean School of Obstetric Anesthesia (EESOA), Maternal Neonatal Simulation Centre, Roma, ItalyEuropean School of Obstetric Anesthesia (EESOA), Maternal Neonatal Simulation Centre, Roma, ItalyEuropean School of Obstetric Anesthesia (EESOA), Maternal Neonatal Simulation Centre, Roma, ItalyBackground. In this study, we describe a custom-made new epidural simulator, created by modifying the inner structure of a commercially available one, in the attempt to make it adequately realistic. To validate and evaluate the realism of our device, we used the Computerized Epidural Instrument CompuFlo. Method. The Compuflo CompuFlo curves obtained from 64 experiments on the epidural simulator were compared to 64 curves obtained from a previous human study, from consecutive laboring parturients requesting epidural analgesia. Results. Epidural simulator and human pressure curves were very similar. There was a significant difference between the drop of pressure due to false and true loss of resistance (LOR) in both the groups. Discussion. Our simulator can realistically reproduce the anatomical layers the needle must pass as demonstrated by the similarity between the simulator and human pressure curves and the small differences of pressure values recorded. CompuFlo may be used as an objective tool to create and assess and compare objectively the epidural task trainers.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4710263
spellingShingle Giorgio Capogna
Alessandra Coccoluto
Emanuele Capogna
Angelica Del Vecchio
Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
Anesthesiology Research and Practice
title Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
title_full Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
title_fullStr Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
title_full_unstemmed Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
title_short Objective Evaluation of a New Epidural Simulator by the CompuFlo® Epidural Instrument
title_sort objective evaluation of a new epidural simulator by the compuflo r epidural instrument
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/4710263
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