Thread by @MedEd_PA

I was challenged to make a low budget, DIY chest tube simulator for 54 PA students without using any animal products.

Operation #VeganChestTube™ was born.

The end product was fairly realistic and held up for all 54 chest tubes.

Here’s how I put it together, a #Tweetorial:

https://twitter.com/meded_pa/status/1095371228049784836

End product first - final cost 89$

Here’s what you’ll need:

1️⃣3/4in Rope- (ribs)

2️⃣Wire closet shelf- serves as frame

3️⃣Shrink wrap-holds layers together and gives you that pleural *POP*

4️⃣Packing Foam-SQ and Muscular layer

5️⃣Shelf-liner- skin

6️⃣Box-I used wood but any box will do

7️⃣Duct tape (not pictured)

First - loop the rope through the ends of the wire shelf. The rope is going to simulate the feeling of ribs. I used 3/4” rope - I wouldn’t go larger than this.

This is the most tedious part. I accidentally missed one of the holes but didn’t feel like fixing it 🙈

But..

Next - layer the foam on top of the rope. This will be your soft tissue. I did one layer, but you can do more (though it gets harder to palpate ribs).

Next - grab your shrink wrap and go CRAZY. Really - you can’t do too much here. I wrapped in two planes (length and width wise). The shrink wrap beefs up your soft tissue layer and...

...(flipped over) serves as your pleural layer on the reverse end. You really want to wrap tight - this back layer is what gives you that satisfying pleural *POP*

Next - add your shelf-liner on top. This will be your skin layer. I used duct tape on the bottom to secure this layer down but I forgot to take a picture of that part. You can inject into this stuff and everything (to simulate anesthetic w lidocaine)

Then - just set the rack on top of your box. I used a wood crate because it fit nicely but you can use anything (plastic, cardboard, etc)

Then - magic! Here’s the first chest tube placed and then the aftermath of 54 tubes - if you shrink wrap really well, the pleural layer keeps its *POP* even after all those cuts.

Once there are no more insertion sites, just replace the foam, shrink wrap, & shelf liner.

And there you have it! If you made it this far, please RT, let me know if you try it yourself, or if you’d make changes

Special thanks to @JanelleRBlu @CSasekatCU @ShannonOMac @roadside_resus @SocraticEM for the ideas
+Katie Hanlon (not on Twitter) for the name #VeganChestTube™

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