High-fidelity bovine vulva model for teaching Day-1 competence to veterinary students

Buhner suturing is considered an essential skill for newly graduated farm animal veterinarians (Miller et al., 2004). This project aimed to develop a high-fidelity bovine vulva model. The model had to meet several key criteria: it had to be the correct size and orientation, and it had to provide a realistic sensation of entering the subcutaneous layer. Inspiration for this model was initially drawn from a presentation on an equine Caslick suture model (Collingsworth and Hunt, 2022). A realistic-size replica of a bovine vulva region was modeled freehand out of air-dry clay and sealed with acrylic primer. A mold was then created using MoldStar^TM 15 SLOW^A. To differentiate the anatomical layers, the model was cast in layers: vaginal mucosa (thickened^B Ecoflex^TM 00-30^A, 1mm, blood colour^C), skin (Ecoflex^TM 00-30^A reinforced with powermesh, 2mm, brown colour^C), subcutaneous tissue (Ecoflex^TM GEL^A, 10mm) and muscles (Ecoflex^TM 00-30^A, 15mm). Strips of power mesh were added to reinforce the needle skin insertion sites. A final gel layer (Ecoflex^TM GEL^A, 5mm) was added to temporarily secure the model to a smooth, vertical surface. The use of the model only requires a Buhner needle, a scalpel blade, and umbilical tape. The teaching experience is enhanced with a written and illustrated skill sheet and/or a tutorial video. Between students, the model could be successfully repaired using additionally applied Ecoflex^TM 00-30^A. A realistic-sized, vertical bovine vulva model that accurately reproduces the tissue layers has been successfully developed for better teaching of Buhner’s suture to veterinary students.
^A Smooth-On, Macungie, United-States
^B THI-VEX^TM, Smooth-On, Macungie, United-States
^C SilcPig^TM, Smooth-On, Macungie, United-States