TissueDB/Simulators/Chest Tube Simulator (Bettega)
The Bettega Chest Tube Simulator is a low-cost 3D-printed thoracic model for training closed chest drainage (tube thoracostomy). It combines a rib framework 3D-printed from a chest CT scan with internal layers that simulate the thoracic cavity and pleura, letting a trainee practise the full drainage procedure from skin incision to drain placement.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | Trains closed chest drainage (tube thoracostomy): a skin incision, blunt dissection into the pleural cavity, introduction of the index finger into the pleural orifice, and drain insertion to the mark. The 3D-printed ribcage preserves the chest's anatomical reference points, helping the trainee locate the correct drainage site. |
| Current Development Status | Evaluated in a randomised controlled study against a porcine model: rated equivalent for procedural learning and preferred as didactic material; clinical skill transfer was not assessed (a stated limitation). |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | US$125 |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | 3D printer; a computer with 3D surface-editing software; a chest CT scan as the source for the rib model. |
| Version | Version 1 |
| Development Team Contact Information | Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Faculty of Medicine; Hospital do Trabalhador (General Surgery and Trauma Service); and Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Academic Department of Mechanics — Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil (Bettega AL et al., 2019). ⚑ Open for review: the corresponding-author email(s) are not in the staged source or the PubMed metadata; confirm against the publisher PDF before listing a direct contact. |
Related TissueDB chest-tube models: Man-O-War and Carter.
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone (ribs) | 1 framework | Not specified in source | — | 3D-printed rib framework from a chest CT scan; gives the bony landmarks that orient the incision and drain placement. |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue | 1 overlay | Not specified in source | — | Outer soft-tissue layer the trainee incises and dissects; the source scores the skin incision and blunt plane divulsion as steps performed on the simulator. |
| Pleura | 1 cavity lining | Not specified in source | — | Simulates the pleura and the thoracic-cavity space the finger and drain enter. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: 3D-print the rib framework
Step 1: Obtain a human chest computed tomography (CT) scan, then perform the anatomical analysis and faithful 3D surface editing needed to prepare the print model.
Step 2: Print the bony framework (ribs) of the thorax in 3D from the prepared model.
The source reports that the print was produced through a partnership with a university mechanical-engineering department, without dedicated funding, but does not report the printer, filament, slicing software, infill, layer height, print orientation, supports, or print time.
Phase 2: Form the thoracic cavity and pleura
Step 1: Assemble, around the printed ribcage, the layers that simulate the thoracic cavity and pleura, together with the outer soft-tissue overlay the trainee will incise.
The source states only that, after printing the ribs, "tests were performed with various materials that contributed to form the simulation of the thoracic cavity and pleura." It does not name the materials used or give a step-by-step assembly procedure.
References
- ↑ Bettega AL, Brunello LFS, Nazar GA, De-Luca GYE, Sarquis LM, Wiederkehr HA, Foggiatto JA, Pimentel SK. Chest tube simulator: development of low-cost model for training of physicians and medical students. Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões. 2019;46(1):e2011. doi:10.1590/0100-6991e-20192011. PMID 30672976. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
| Alternative names | SIM drain (informal name used in the source paper) |
|---|
Property "SimulatorProcedure" (as page type) with input value "Closed chest drainage (tube thoracostomy): an approximately 1.5 cm skin incision, blunt dissection (divulsion) of the planes into the pleural cavity, introduction of the index finger into the pleural orifice, and drain insertion posterosuperiorly until the mark is reached." contains invalid characters or is incomplete and therefore can cause unexpected results during a query or annotation process.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Chest Tube Simulator (Bettega)". Appropedia. Retrieved June 24, 2026. |