TissueDB/Materials/Sponge

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Sponge (synthetic polyurethane or cellulose) is a compressible, low-cost material used in medical simulation to represent soft tissue layers. Available in multiple densities and colours, sponge provides visual and tactile approximation of subcutaneous tissue, organ parenchyma, and other compressible anatomical structures.

Tissues

Tissue	Visual	Tactile	Simulator	Notes
Adipose Tissue			Trocar Placement Simulator	Cut 15 cm × 15 cm (6 × 6 in). Cut 4 holes for pen holders. Layer between skin (white felt) and fascia (taped felt) layers.
Soft Tissue			Orthoplastic Reconstruction Simulator	Two 45 cm × 10 cm pieces. Place one below and one above fractured bone model segments. Glue edges if raised.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue	Partial	No	Fernandes Intra-abdominal Bleeding Simulator	Thin sponge layer bonded to EVA foam plate (72 × 54 cm); provides compressible subcutaneous layer beneath skin surface for laparotomy access (Fernandes et al. 2023).^[1]
Adipose Tissue (subcutaneous)			Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Kurashima)	Sponge of appropriate thickness simulates the subcutaneous adipose layer on the multilayer abdominal-wall insert. Specific thickness is not stated in the source paper. Source: Kurashima Y et al. 2011, Surg Innov 18(2):171–175. DOI 10.1177/1553350610395949. PMID 21307013.
Muscle (three abdominal-wall layers)			Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Simulator (Kurashima)	Sponges of varying thicknesses simulate the three abdominal-wall muscle layers on the multilayer insert, with white stretchy fabric wrapped around each layer to create the fascia. Specific thickness per muscle layer is not stated in the source paper. Source: Kurashima Y et al. 2011, Surg Innov 18(2):171–175. DOI 10.1177/1553350610395949. PMID 21307013.

Used In Simulators

Simulator	Purpose	Notes
Fernandes Intra-abdominal Bleeding Simulator	Tissue-simulating material	Thin sponge layer combined with EVA foam to simulate skin and subcutaneous tissue for laparotomy access (Fernandes et al. 2023).^[1]

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Fernandes CO, Rodrigues LR, Silva do Amaral MLBS, de Morais Rodrigues SJ, Marton-Filho MA. Low-cost simulator for intra-abdominal bleeding. Rev Col Bras Cir 2023;50:e20233512. DOI: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20233512-en. PMID: 37971114. PMC: PMC10618030.

At a Glance

Overview

Synonyms

Craft sponge, foam sponge, cellulose sponge, polyurethane sponge. Regional: esponja (ES), éponge (FR), Schwamm (DE), spugna (IT), spons (NL).

Background

Clinical Context for Simulation

Processing & Preparation

Safety Considerations

Related Materials

Page data
Keywords	sponge, craft sponge, soft tissue, adipose tissue, fat layer, abdominal wall, surgical simulation, TissueDB
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Authors	Arturopelayo, Ian-laurel
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Language	English (en)
Related	0 subpages, 13 pages link here
Redirects	TissueDB/Materials/Sponges
Views	52 page views (analytics)
Created	December 2, 2025 by Ian-laurel
Last edit	May 20, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Cite as	Arturopelayo, Ian-laurel (2025–2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Sponge". Appropedia. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
API queries	basic, semantic, html, files, more

Page data
SDG
Authors	Arturopelayo, Ian-laurel
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Language	English (en)
Related	0 subpages, 13 pages link here
Redirects	TissueDB/Materials/Sponges
Views	52 page views (analytics)
Created	December 2, 2025 by Ian-laurel
Last edit	May 20, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Cite as	Arturopelayo, Ian-laurel (2025–2026). "TissueDB/Materials/Sponge". Appropedia. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
API queries	basic, semantic, html, files, more

[fernandes2023-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Fernandes CO, Rodrigues LR, Silva do Amaral MLBS, de Morais Rodrigues SJ, Marton-Filho MA. Low-cost simulator for intra-abdominal bleeding. Rev Col Bras Cir 2023;50:e20233512. DOI: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20233512-en. PMID: 37971114. PMC: PMC10618030.

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