Teaching procedural skills in medical school is increasing falling on the shoulders of emergency physicians. Two common problems that arise are the equipment expenses and simulation of realism. Working with my colleague Dr. Jeff Tabas, we came up some creative ideas around the teaching of (1) the Seldinger technique for central line placement and (2) saphenous vein cutdown.
Seldinger technique
The concept of "keeping the wire in the vein" is often a difficult concept to explain and visualize when walking through the steps. One can demonstrate and practice the procedure by using a transparent foley catheter tubing (ideally an unused one!), which substitutes as the vein. The transparent tubing allows the learner to view the wire, resting in the vein at all times.
Saphenous vein cutdown
A saphenous vein cutdown kit can be quite pricey. Alternatively, all you really need to gather are:- Scalpel
- 3-0 silk ties without needles
- 18-gauge angiocatheter
- Dental floss pick
