Teaching the Basics: Development and Validation of a Distal Radius Reduction and Casting Model

Background Approximately one-third of reduced pediatric distal radius fractures redisplace, resulting in further treatment. Two major modifiable risk factors for loss of reduction are reduction adequacy and cast quality. Closed reduction and immobilization of distal radius fractures is an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residency milestone. Teaching and assessing competency could be improved with a life-like simulation training tool. Questions/purposes Our goal was to develop and validate a realistic distal radius fracture reduction and casting simulator as determined by (1) a questionnaire regarding the “realism” of the model and (2) the quantitative assessments of reduction time, residual angulation, and displacement. Methods A distal radius fracture model was created with radiopaque bony segments and articulating elbows and shoulders. Simulated periosteum and internal deforming forces required proper reduction and casting techniques to achieve and maintain reduction. The forces required were estimated through an iterative process through feedback from experienced clinicians. Embedded monofilaments allowed for quantitative assessment of residual displacement and angulation through the use of fluoroscopy. Subjects were asked to perform closed reduction and apply a long arm fiberglass cast. Primary performance variables assessed included reduction time, residual angulation, and displacement. Secondary performance variables consisted of number of fluoroscopic images, casting time, and cast index (defined as the ratio of the internal width of the forearm cast in the sagittal plane to the internal width in the coronal plane at the fracture site). Subject grading was performed by two blinded reviewers. Interrater reliability was nearly perfect across all measurements (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.94–0.99), thus disagreements in measurements were handled by averaging the assessed values. After completion the participants answered a Likert-based questionnaire regarding the realism of simulation. Eighteen participants consented to participate in the study (eight attending pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, six junior residents, four senior residents). The performances of junior residents (Postgraduate Year [PGY] 1–2), senior residents (PGY 3–5), and attending surgeons were compared using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s-adjusted pairwise comparisons. Results The majority of participants (15 of 18) felt that the model looked, felt, and m