DEVELOPMENT OF ORTHOPEDIC SIMULATOR TO PRACTICE CLOSED REDUCTION OF PEDIATRIC FRACTURES OF THE MIDDLE THIRD OF FOREARM

ABSTRACT In the current scenario of medical education, a trend of using models and simulators to train operational skills, especially in the practice of basic orthopedic techniques, is growing. This form of teaching allows academics to maximize learning opportunities and contributes to improving the quality of care for their future patients. However, the realistic simulation has high costs as a major limitation. Objective: To develop a low-cost orthopedic simulator for practicing pediatric forearm reduction skills in the preclinical setting. Methods: A model of an arm and forearm with a fracture in the middle third was developed. Orthopedists, residents, and medical students evaluated the simulator’s ability to reproduce fracture reduction. Results: The simulator had a significantly lower cost than the others in the literature. The participants agreed that the model had a good performance, and that the manipulation was consistent with the reality of reducing closed pediatric forearm fracture. Conclusion: The results suggest that this model can be used to teach orthopedic residents and medical students the skill of closed reduction of fractures in the middle third of the forearm. Level of Evidence III, Case Control Study.