TissueDB/Materials/Plastic Film
License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 by Kakura
Plastic film refers to thin, flexible sheets used in medical simulation to create transparent barriers, anatomical membranes, window panels, and smooth tissue surfaces. Most are synthetic polymers (polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene), available in various thicknesses, and they provide visual access while simulating membrane-like tissue layers. Cellophane belongs here too and can be used in the same roles — several of the builds below name it specifically — even though it is regenerated cellulose rather than a plastic.
Tissues
| Tissue | Visual | Tactile | Simulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peritoneum and Serosa | Medeiros, Appendectomy Simulator, Open Appendectomy Simulator (Matthews), Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Kurashima), Trocar Placement Simulator, Laparoscopic Ectopic Pregnancy Simulator, Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Hanssen) | As yellow cellophane, the peritoneal sac covering the herniated viscera on the omphalocele model (Abdominal Wall Defect, Medeiros).[1] As two layers of food-grade plastic wrap, the innermost peritoneal lining of the abdominal wall (Appendectomy).[2] As plastic wrap, the innermost sheet of the eight-layer abdominal-wall analogue (Open Appendectomy, Matthews).[3] As Press'n Seal plastic wrap laid over the stacked insert to form the peritoneum — it clings to the sponge beneath, so peeling it off feels as stubborn as a real preperitoneal dissection (Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia, Kurashima).[4] As plastic wrap, the innermost peritoneal layer of the five-layer abdominal wall, a 15.25 cm square impaled taut on the four corner pens so the trainee feels it give as the trocar passes (Trocar Placement, ALL-SAFE).[5] As two sheets pressed over the uterus, tubes and ovaries and trimmed to size, the mesosalpinx and its peritoneal investment, left loose enough not to restrict instrument access (Laparoscopic Ectopic Pregnancy, ALL-SAFE).[6] As Ioban 6648 (3M), a self-adhesive plastic field laid over the assembled model to represent the peritoneum (Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia, Hanssen).[7] | ||
| Periosteum | Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator | Clear cellophane wrapped around the 3D-printed tibial fracture fragments as the overlying periosteum, keeping a displaced fracture loosely apposed; its transparency lets the learner inspect post-fixation alignment and confirm no Schanz screw perforated the far cortex.[8] | ||
| Skin | Carter Multipurpose Thoracic Simulator | Ioban 2 (3M) — a transparent iodophor film wrapping the chest-wall module as sealant and outermost traversable layer for needle entry and chest-tube placement.[9] | ||
| Fascia | - | - | Appendectomy Simulator, Open Appendectomy Simulator (Matthews) | Food-grade plastic wrap as a separator layer of the abdominal wall (Appendectomy); that build source labels this layer only a plastic-wrap separator and does not name it Scarpa's fascia.[2] The Matthews build DOES name it: plastic film between the superficial and deep fat planes, listed as Scarpa's fascia and distinct from its peritoneal sheet (Open Appendectomy, Matthews).[3] |
| Connective Tissue | - | - | Humeral Fracture Fixation Simulator, Peripheral Intravenous Catheterization Trainer | As clear cellophane, the soft-tissue envelope wrapped around the distracted humeral fragments — transparent so the learner can check fracture alignment and that no Schanz screw perforated the far cortex. As multipurpose sealing wrap (Glad Press'n Seal or equivalent), a self-adhering subcutaneous layer wrapped over the simulated vein to give a palpable tissue plane.[10][11] |
| Pleura | - | - | Chest Tube Insertion Simulator (Man-O-War) | Cellophane (plastic film) rolled around the bucket, with gaffer tape laid over the intercostal spaces — the composite parietal-pleura layer the learner punctures.[12] |
| Hernia sac and preperitoneal adhesions | Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Kurashima) | Press'n Seal plastic wrap at the base of the hernia defect, its adhesions made with spray glue and adherent putty. Careless dissection tears the thin film just as it would tear real peritoneum, so the trainee must work meticulously (Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia, Kurashima).[4] | ||
| Cricothyroid membrane | - | - | Cricothyrotomy Simulator (Kei) | Tegaderm — offered, not built with. Kei forms the cuttable cricothyroid-membrane proxy from 3M Microfoam surgical tape over the printed model, and offers a film alternative only as a fallback: "If Microfoam tape is unavailable, duct tape, gaffer's tape, or 3M Tegaderm may be substituted." The build Kei describes throughout uses the Microfoam tape, which is also the patch replaced between learners; no build using the Tegaderm option is documented.[13] |
Troubleshooting
- Load-bearing applications — Most plastic films tear under tension. Use: Silicone sheet or vinyl for strength.
- Suturing practice — Film tears around needle holes; cannot hold sutures. Use: Felt or silicone for suturable membranes.
- Heat-contact procedures — Most plastic films melt or warp with electrosurgery. Verify: Material melting point before use with thermal devices.
- Elastic tissue simulation — Standard plastic film has minimal stretch. Use: Latex or rubber for elastic membranes.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Wrap (cling film) | Self-adhering membrane; serosal surfaces | Very thin; tears easily; adhesive may be unwanted |
| Silicone Sheet | Durable transparent membrane; suturable | Higher cost; requires sourcing specific thickness |
| Vinyl Sheet | Semi-rigid transparent panels | Less flexible; may crack at folds |
Used In Simulators
| Simulator | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medeiros Abdominal Wall Defect Simulator | Peritoneal sac on the omphalocele model | Yellow cellophane.[1] |
| Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator | Soft tissue envelope over the tibial fracture fragments | Clear cellophane wrapped around 3D printed proximal and distal tibial bone fragments; permits visual inspection for self-assessment of Schanz screw placement. |
| Humeral Fracture Fixation Simulator | Soft tissue envelope over the humeral fracture fragments | Clear cellophane wrapped around 3D printed humeral bone fragments; permits visual inspection for learner self-assessment of Schanz screw trajectory and fracture alignment during external fixation. |
References
[edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Medeiros GA, Gualberto IJN, Domingues da Silva CHN, Bicudo Diniz AM, Felinto de Santana JB, Perecin Volpe F, Gadde R, Mazzo A, Cardoso de Oliveira R, Sbragia L. Development of a low-cost congenital abdominal wall defect simulator (wall-go) for undergraduate medical education: a validation study. BMC Medical Education. 2023;23:966. DOI: 10.1186/s12909-023-04929-3. PMID 38102605.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ASAP (AMPATH Surgical App) team. Instructions to Build your Model, ASAP Syllabus. Global Surgical Training Challenge. ASAP build instructions and ASAP Syllabus course. Not indexed in PubMed; primary source linked directly.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Matthews J, Bhatia MB, Thomas C, Okoth P, Martinez CR, Levy JS, Stefanidis D, Hunter-Squires JL, Saruni SI (2022). "AMPATH surgical app: Low-cost simulator for the open appendectomy." Surgery 172(6):1656–1664. DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.07.023. PMID: 36123174.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kurashima Y, Feldman L, Al-Sabah S, Kaneva P, Fried G, Vassiliou M (2011). "A novel low-cost simulator for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair." Surgical Innovation 18(2):171–175. DOI: 10.1177/1553350610395949. PMID: 21307013.
- ↑ ALL-SAFE Consortium. ALL-SAFE Trocar Placement Simulation Build Instructions. Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, University of Michigan, Southern Illinois University, Soddo Christian Hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Mbingo Baptist Hospital. Build page: ALL-SAFE/Trocar Placement/Simulation.
- ↑ ALL-SAFE Consortium. ALL-SAFE Ectopic Pregnancy Simulation 11.6 build guide. Build page: ALL-SAFE/Simulator/Ectopic Pregnancy.
- ↑ Hanssen A, Hanssen DA, Hanssen RA, Plotnikov S, Haddad J, Daes JE. Implementation and Validation of a Novel and Inexpensive Training Model for Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair. J Abdom Wall Surg 2022;1:10305. DOI 10.3389/jaws.2022.10305. CC BY 4.0.
- ↑ Tibial Fracture Fixation training module, Global Surgical Training Challenge; Appropedia. Build source for the Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator. Not indexed in PubMed; primary source linked directly.
- ↑ Carter YM, Wilson BM, Hall E, Marshall MB (2010). "Multipurpose Simulator for Technical Skill Development in Thoracic Surgery." Journal of Surgical Research 163(2):186–191. DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2010.04.051. PMID: 20691997.
- ↑ Humeral Fracture Fixation Project and Humeral Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator, Global Surgical Training Challenge; co-leads Julielynn Wong and Habila Umaru; Appropedia. Not indexed in PubMed; primary source linked directly.
- ↑ Stephanie McKee. "Caboodle Noodle." NLN SIRC HomeGrown Solutions. National League for Nursing / INACSL. NLN website.
- ↑ Nasri A, Jerbi M, Karray R, Snoussi H, Samet A, Talbi A, Ksentini H, Rejeb I, Chakroun-Walha O, Rekik N (2023). "Man-O-War simulator: a Low-cost manikin for training on chest tube management." African Journal of Emergency Medicine 13(2):39–41. DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2023.01.004. PMID: 36864887.
- ↑ Kei J, Mebust DP, Duggan LV. The REAL CRIC Trainer: Instructions for Building an Inexpensive, Realistic Cricothyrotomy Simulator with Skin and Tissue, Bleeding, and Flash of Air. Journal of Emergency Medicine 2019;56(4):426–430. DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.12.023. PMID: 30685221.
At a Glance
Overview
Plastic film encompasses thin polymer sheets used for transparent barriers, membrane simulation, and anatomical windows.
Synonyms
Former page names (all redirect here): Plastic Wrap, Cling Film, Cellophane, Press'n Seal, Plastic Cling Wrap, Ioban 2. Trade names: Saran Wrap, Mylar, Visqueen, Tegaderm. Generic terms: polyethylene (PE) film, PVC film, polypropylene (PP) film, plastic sheet, plastic sheeting, transparent film. Regional: película plástica (Spanish), film plastique (French), Plastikfolie (German).
Shelf Life & Storage
| Temp Range | Humidity | Surface Reuse | Shelf Life | Spoilage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient (avoid heat) | Any | Multiple uses | Indefinite | UV degradation over years |
Background
Clinical Context for Simulation
Plastic film provides visualization windows and membrane layers in anatomical models. Its transparency allows learners to see underlying structures while still requiring them to work through defined tissue planes. The material's availability in various thicknesses allows matching to specific membrane properties.
Processing & Preparation
Select a thinner film for membrane simulation and a thicker sheet for structural windows. Cut with scissors or a craft knife; cut edges stay smooth (no fraying like fabric). Attach to model frames with tape, staples, or adhesive; some polymer types can be heat-sealed, and some films can be heat-formed to curved shapes with a hair dryer or heat gun.
Safety Considerations
- Suffocation hazard — Keep film away from face; never use near airways in simulation.
- Static electricity — Film may cling to instruments; can be reduced with antistatic spray.
- Heat sensitivity — Most films melt at low temperatures; verify compatibility with thermal devices.
- Sharp edges — Cut edges may be sharp on rigid films; handle carefully.
Related Materials
- Plastic Wrap — Self-adhering cling film for serosal surfaces
- Vinyl — Thicker, more durable plastic sheets
- Silicone Sheet — Transparent and suturable alternative
- Latex Sheet — Elastic transparent membrane alternative