TissueDB/Simulators/Meckel's Diverticulectomy Simulator

The Meckel's Diverticulectomy Simulator is a low-cost laparoscopic trainer built from locally available materials for practising Meckel's diverticulectomy and small-bowel handling.^[1] A single flat bed sheet is rolled and shaped to represent an ileal segment, Meckel's diverticulum and mesentery. Rubber bands secure the tissue geometry, numbered tape labels identify bowel sections, and a cardboard holder mounts the model inside a laparoscopic box trainer.

Step 1: Cut one non-fitted flat bed sheet to 2.5 feet × 2 feet (76.2 cm × 60.96 cm).

The source describes thin white fabric as suitable and permits a light-coloured non-printed material as an alternative. It does not specify a weave.

Step 2: Roll the sheet along its 2.5-foot side until 14 inches (35.56 cm) of unrolled sheet remains.

The rolled portion represents the bowel. The unrolled portion represents the mesentery.

Step 3: Measure and mark eight hole positions beneath the rolled portion of the sheet.

Space the holes approximately 4 inches (10 cm) apart.

Step 4: Cut the eight small holes at the marked positions.

Step 5: Push rubber bands through the holes and secure them around the rolled sheet.

Cut off excess rubber-band loops where required so they do not interfere with the simulation.

Step 1: Choose one end of the simulated bowel.

Step 2: Pull approximately 3–6 cm of the rolled sheet outward.

Step 3: Secure the protruding section with a rubber band to form the simulated Meckel's diverticulum.

The developer instructions contextualise the model against the reported 1–12 cm clinical range for Meckel's diverticulum. The simulator itself uses the source-described 3–6 cm projection.

Step 1: Cut fourteen small tape pieces approximately 1.6 cm × 1.6 cm.

Step 2: Label the pieces 1 through 14 with a marker or Sharpie.

Step 3: Begin at the end opposite the Meckel's diverticulum.

Place label 1 to the right of the first rubber band.

Step 4: Turn the bowel assembly over and place label 2 between the first two rubber bands.

Step 5: Continue alternating the numbered labels between the upper and lower surfaces until reaching the diverticulum end of the bowel.

Step 1: Bunch the free end of the unrolled mesentery material.

Step 2: Wrap several rubber bands around the bunched end to form the mesentery root.

Step 1: Cut one piece of cardboard according to the Part F cutting template.

The overall template measures 338 mm × 265 mm. Refer to page 6 of the source build-instructions PDF for the detailed dimensions.

Step 2: Distinguish the template's cut lines from its fold lines and maintain the indicated corrugation direction.

Step 3: Bend the centre section upward.

Step 4: Fold the side pieces upward 4 cm from the edge.

The central flap and opening support the simulated mesentery root and attach the bowel module to the trainer floor.

Step 1: Insert the bunched bowel/mesentery-root end through the opening in Part F with the odd-numbered side facing upward.

Step 2: Secure the bowel assembly to the holder with a rubber band.

Step 3: Flip the bowel over to conceal the mesentery root.

Step 1: Turn the laparoscopic box trainer upside down.

Step 2: Insert the Part F flaps into the slits used by the box trainer's stability flaps.

Step 3: Adjust the stability flaps as necessary so that Part F and the stability components share the same slits.

• The bowel, Meckel's diverticulum and mesentery are all formed from the same flat bed sheet or thin light-coloured fabric.
• The source does not specify the textile weave.
• The source explicitly specifies 10 rubber bands.
• Tape labels and rubber bands are structural/training components and do not represent tissues.
• Cardboard Part F is a holder, not anatomy.
• The source reports no build cost.
• The source reports no total build time.
• Developer curriculum material does not by itself establish formal validation of this individual simulator.

The build sequence and dimensions above are supported by the ALL-SAFE developer module and indexed text of the linked nine-page build-instructions PDF.