Hostname: page-component-857557d7f7-zv5th Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-12-06T22:11:59.578Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Cardiff TonsillectomEase trainer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2025

Eleanor Wong*
Affiliation:
Department of Ears Nose and Throat, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
Huw Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Ears Nose and Throat, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
David Owens
Affiliation:
Department of Ears Nose and Throat, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
*
Corresponding author: Eleanor Wong; Email: e.l.wong@hotmail.co.uk

Abstract

Objectives

To create a simple simulated tonsil-tying model to help trainees gain surgical skills during limited training opportunities.

Methods

A tonsil-tying trainer was constructed using basic hospital items that are easily attainable in a basic hospital setting. Feedback was obtained from consultants, registrars and senior house officers.

Results

A simple, low-cost and effective low-fidelity model for deep knot tying in tonsillectomy is presented. The model is modifiable for the progressing trainee and allows a degree of objective feedback with the potential for subjective feedback from a trainer. The model is easy to prepare using typical basic hospital ward equipment.

Conclusion

This model provides practice of placing a Boyle–Davis gag, and the use of tools and a head light. It is adjustable for tonsil-tying practice at a variety of depths with different vessel sizes and conditions (e.g. bleeding). Lastly, basic objective feedback without significant technical challenges is possible.

Information

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Eleanor Wong takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

Robinson, DBT, Luton, O, Mellor, K, James, OP, Hopkins, L, Powell, AGMT, et al. Trainee perspective of the causes of stress and burnout in surgical training: a qualitative study from Wales. BMJ Open 2021;11:e045150CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Royal College of Surgeons of England. 2023 UK Surgical Workforce Census Report. Advancing the Surgical Workforce. London, 2023Google Scholar
Rupani, N, Evans, A, Iqbal, M. A quantitative cross-sectional study assessing the surgical trainee perception of the operating room educational environment. BMC Med Educ 2022;22:764CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
National Prospective Tonsillectomy Audit 2005. In: www.rcseng.ac.uk [6 September 2024]Google Scholar
Al-Hussaini, A, Addams-Williams, J, Tomkinson, A. The Cardiff cup: a model for tonsillectomy tie training. Otolaryngology 2011;1:102Google Scholar
Wasson, JD, de Zoysa, N, Stephens, J. Tissue-box tonsillar tie trainer. Clin Otolaryngol 2009;34:175–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Street, I, Beech, T, Jennings, C. The Birmingham trainer: a simulator for ligating the lower tonsillar pole. Clin Otolaryngol 2006;31:79CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ross, SK, Jaiswal, V, Jones, NS. Nottingham tonsillectomy haemostasis simulator. Clin Otolaryngol 2007;32:143CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Raja, MK, Haneefa, MA, Chidambaram, A. Yorick’s skull model for tonsillectomy tie training. Clin Otolaryngol 2008;33:187–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Douglas, JA, Senior, AJ, Scott, A, Douglas, J. Telford tonsillectomy tie trainer: an AirSim model modification. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2014;96:634CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bhat, PS, Kaliavaradan, S, Muruganidhi, N, Sethu, PL. Model for hands-on tonsillectomy surgical training of postgraduate residents during COVID-19 pandemic. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021;278:2631–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Evans, LM, Owens, D. Enhancement of a low-fidelity surgical simulator. Is it possible? J Laryngol Otol 2021;135:179–81CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Supplementary material: File

Wong et al. supplementary material

Wong et al. supplementary material
Download Wong et al. supplementary material(File)
File 34.5 MB