Overview and Background

Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) drainage is an important skill in various fields of medicine. Although the procedure is not technically difficult, it can be intimidating. To our knowledge, no commercially available PTA task trainer exists. Improvised trainers exist, but have various drawbacks such as lack of fidelity, technical difficulty in assembly, and requiring parts be sourced from pre-existing trainers. This trainer is built using cheap, commercially available materials, and easily shareable and reproducible 3D printed components.

Lesson Plan and Activity

A 3D printed cartridge containing a gel-filled balloon (approximating a PTA) was inserted into a frame mimicking the oral cavity. This frame was embedded into a head made from a latex mask filled with expanding foam. Various methods of tongue depression, such as a lighted laryngoscope, can be used by learners. The "abscess" is drained using an 18 gauge needle attached to a syringe.

Materials Needed

Oral cavity model and PTA chassis (3D printed)
Model of a human head (e.g. re-purposed CPR mannequin)
- If this is not available, a head can be made using a latex Halloween mask and approximately one can of expanding foam sealant (e.g. Great Stuff)
Wooden skewers for internal support
Red or pink water balloons
Shampoo or conditioner for "pus"
- Note: various recipes exist for pus, we found shampoo to approximate the viscosity of real pus and aided in cleanup
18 g needle and cap
10 mL syringe
Lighted laryngoscope
Tongue depressor

Peritonsillar Abscess Trainer