TissueDB/Simulators/Trocar Placement Simulator

General Information

ALL-SAFE Trocar Placement Simulation Build Instructions cover page showing the assembled trocar placement module — ALL-SAFE Trocar Placement Simulation Build Instructions. Source: ALL-SAFE Consortium.

The Trocar Placement Simulator is a low-cost simulation module developed by the ALL-SAFE Consortium for teaching Hasson trocar placement under direct visualization through abdominal wall layers. The simulator uses layered materials mounted on a cardboard frame to simulate skin, adipose tissue, fascia, muscle, and peritoneum, with an inflated modeling balloon representing bowel beneath the peritoneal layer. Red lipstick is applied to both sides of the bowel balloon. A cell phone mounted above the module provides camera visualization for the trainee.

Field	Details
General Information	Source: ALL-SAFE/Trocar Placement/Simulation. Developed by the ALL-SAFE Consortium: Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, University of Michigan, Southern Illinois University, Soddo Christian Hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital, and Mbingo Baptist Hospital. Subskills trained: Trocar Placement, Laparoscopic Management of Trocar Placement. Equipment required: Laparoscopic Box Trainer.
Features and Basic Operation	Simulates Hasson trocar placement through abdominal wall layers under direct visualization. Teaches identification of tissue planes (skin, adipose, fascia, muscle, peritoneum) and safe entry technique to avoid bowel injury. Red lipstick is applied to both sides of the bowel balloon. Cell phone camera provides direct visualization of the trocar entry point from above.
Current Development Status	Validated
Estimated Build Time and Cost	Estimated cost: see per-cell costs in the tissues and structural parts tables below. Excludes common tools (box cutter, scissors) and the laparoscopic box trainer.
Specialized Tools and Equipment	Box cutter, scissors (common tools)
Version	Not stated in source
Development Team Contact Information	ALL-SAFE Consortium: Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons, University of Michigan, Southern Illinois University, Soddo Christian Hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital, Mbingo Baptist Hospital

Tissues

Tissue	Qty	Material	Cost	Notes
Peritoneum and Serosa	1	Plastic wrap	USD < 1^†	Cut approximately 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Cut small holes in each corner so the pens impale the plastic wrap through each hole.
Fascia	1	White felt + Packing tape	USD 1–3^{†, †}	Cut felt approximately 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Adhere packing tape or masking tape in strips to cover entirety of cloth on both sides. Cut holes in each corner and impale on pens.
Muscle	2	Red felt	USD 1–2^†	Cut two rectangular pieces approximately 15.25 cm × 5 cm (6 × 2 in). Cut holes in each side allowing the felt to be impaled and held by the pens with adequate tension.
Adipose tissue	1	Sponge	USD < 1^†	Cut 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Cut 4 holes for the pens to hold the sponge in place with adequate tension.
Skin	1	White felt	USD < 1^†	Cut to the same size as the previous layers (15.25 cm × 15.25 cm / 6 × 6 in). Cut an additional hole in the middle for the umbilicus balloon. Do not add tape to this layer.
Umbilicus	1	Small balloon	USD < 1^†	Cut balloon to neck only. Orient neck away from center of skin layer.
Bowel	1	Modeling balloon	USD < 1^†	Inflate the modeling balloon. Tape it to the underside of the plastic wrap (peritoneum) layer. Apply red lipstick to both sides of the modeling balloon.

Structural Parts

Part Name	Qty	Material	Cost	Notes
Trocar Module Frame	1	Cardboard	US$0–15	Cut 10.16 cm × 56 cm (4 × 22 in). Corrugation must be oriented as shown in build instructions. Folds into square box with pen holder tabs.
Layer Holders	4	Ballpoint pens	US$1–2	Push through folded pen holder tabs to support tissue layers at correct tension.
Phone Mount Strap	1	Rubber band	US$3–8	Thread through slits cut in cardboard to secure cell phone above module.
Blood Vessel Markings	1	Red lipstick	US$2–7	Apply to both sides of the modeling balloon (bowel).

Build Instructions

Phase 1: Preparing the Box

Step 1. Cut a piece of cardboard to 10.16 cm × 56 cm (4 × 22 in). Orient the cardboard corrugation as shown — this affects folding behavior.

Cardboard piece with corrugation orientation and initial slot cuts

Step 2. Follow the cutting template: cut two slots 2.54 cm (1 in) from each edge. Slot length should be half the 10.16 cm (4 in) dimension.

Cutting template showing slot positions and fold lines

Step 3. Mark fold points at the dashed lines in the template. Fold the cardboard at each indicated fold line.

Step 4. At each fold, use scissors to cut two 2.54 cm (1 in) cuts at the indicated positions.

Step 5. Use box cutters to cut any lines not placed over a fold line.

Step 6. Fold the cardboard into a square. Slide two opposing slots together to form a lock.

Fold progress showing square taking shape

Slots locked together forming rigid square

Step 7. Push each pen holder tab inward toward the middle of the box using a finger.

Step 8. Push a pen through each of the 4 pen holder tabs.

Phase 2: Preparing the Model

Step 1. Cut a square of plastic wrap (peritoneum) approximately 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Cut small holes in each corner so pens impale the plastic wrap through each hole, holding it tightly in place.

Plastic wrap with corner holes for pen holders

Step 2. Cut a square of white felt (fascia) to approximately 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Adhere packing tape or masking tape in strips to cover entirety of cloth on both sides. Cut holes in each corner and impale on pens as with the peritoneum layer.

White felt with tape strips applied to both sides

Fascia layer placed on pen holders above peritoneum

Step 3. Cut two rectangular pieces of red felt (muscle) to approximately 15.25 cm × 5 cm (6 × 2 in). Cut holes in each side for the felt to be impaled and held by protruding pens. Ensure holes are cut at correct locations so adequate tension is applied.

Step 4. Cut a square of sponge material (adipose tissue) to 15.25 cm × 15.25 cm (6 × 6 in). Cut 4 holes for pens to hold in place.

Sponge material cut to size with pen holes

Step 5. Cut another square of white felt (skin) to the same size. Cut an additional hole in the middle for the balloon (umbilicus) to stick through. The balloon has been cut to include just the neck, oriented away from center. Do not add tape to this layer.

Skin layer with umbilicus balloon inserted through center hole

Step 6. Inflate a modeling balloon to simulate the bowel. Tape the balloon to the bottom of the plastic wrap (peritoneum layer). Apply a small amount of red lipstick on both sides of the modeling balloon.

Modeling balloon taped to underside of peritoneum

Red lipstick applied to both sides of bowel balloon

Phase 3: Installing Model Inside Box

Step 1. Rotate the laparoscopic box trainer on its side and orient the trocar module as shown.

Trocar module oriented against laparoscopic box trainer

Step 2. Mark two lines that line up with the top window of the trainer box using a pen. Use scissors to make 7.6 cm (3 in) cuts at both marked locations.

Marking alignment lines on trocar module

Step 3. Fold the cardboard flap over and slide it over the trainer box window. The trocar module should be securely attached to the trainer box and lie flat on the table surface.

Cardboard flap folded over trainer box window

Trocar module securely attached to trainer box, flat on table

Step 4. Cut two slits into the cardboard to provide a way to securely attach a cell phone to the top of the box (camera pointed down at trocar module). Slits should be wide enough to hold a rubber band between them. Slit length only needs to be approximately 1.3 cm (½ in).

Step 5. Attach the cell phone to the top using the rubber band, with camera directly above the trocar module. Place the phone directly above the module for direct visualization. Weights (such as textbooks) can be added inside the trainer box for stabilization.

Cell phone attached above trocar module with rubber band mount

References

^[1]

↑ 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. Available at: PDF.

Digital Resources

Simulator data
Alternative names	ALL-SAFE Trocar Placement Simulation; Trocar Placement Trainer

Page data
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Authors	Arturopelayo
License	CC-BY-SA-4.0
Language	English (en)
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Created	May 2, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Last edit	May 30, 2026 by Arturo Pelayo
Cite as	Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Trocar Placement Simulator". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
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[1] 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. Available at: PDF.

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