Surgical Simulation Myelomeningocele RepairAccurate anatomical modeling for pediatric and neurosurgical training courses are limited and slow to develop, but this silicone model represents MMC and allows for fetoscopic or open surgical repair practice. To improve patient outcomes and provide visual and tactile feedback for surgeons, the model displays all releveant anatomical layers to provide dissection and closure practice. Meningomyelocele (MMC) is a rare birth defect that affects the spinal cord. It limits walking mobility and requires a ventriculoperitoneal shunt to manage hydrocephalus (a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid) and excess head pressure. If left untreated, it can lead to enlarged heads in infants or brain herniations in patients whose suture lines and fontanelles have already closed/fused. During the second trimester, repairing MMC reduces the need for shunting by almost 50%. It also increases the need to ambulate without using braces or orthotics. Due to the rarity of the defect, surgeons only perform the procedure about once a year, and many neurosurgeons never perform fetal repair. Additionally, the patients who get surgery after delivery do not benefit in the way fetal repair patients do. Even fewer surgeons have ever performed minimally invasive surgical repair, which would decrease the risk of complication in the index operation by avoiding C-sections in future pregnancies. Accurate anatomical modeling for pediatric and neurosurgical training courses are limited and slow to develop, but this silicone model represents MMC and allows for fetoscopic or open surgical repair practice. It displays different anatomical layers: muscle, fascia, dura, spinal cord placode, cyst, and skin. The presentation of all tissues involved in the procedure provides dissection and closure practice to improve patient outcomes and provide visual and tactile feedback. The critical steps of the procedure can be done with electrocautery: sharp dissection with scissors and suturing the dura, fascia, and skin. To reduce the cost of multiple uses, the components are reusable and replaceable. |
![]() Tech ID2024-022 College(None) Licensing ManagerInventorsCategories(None) |