Pelvic phantom for practical training of cervical cancer brachytherapy

Abstract

The medical phantom is very important for students and medical staff to improve both learning outcomes and their clinical skills. The objective of this study is to develop the para rubber pelvic phantom for instruction and clinical practice in brachytherapy for cervical cancer. The pelvic phantom was composed of two parts, the right and the left. Each part of the phantom has pelvic bones and essential organ cavities, including the uterus, vagina, bladder, and rectum. The pelvic bones were constructed and inserted in the phantom for radiation imaging purpose. The mould blocks were produced using plaster and silicone. In the subsequent stage, the phantom was constructed using the para rubber and a vulcanization technique. In the final step, the phantom was evaluated by radiologic technologist students and staff in radiotherapy departments. The results shows pelvic phantom which construct for learning clinical practice training in brachytherapy to demonstrate the treatment procedures, radiography, and radiation treatment planning for cervical cancer. The evaluation of the phantom revealed an overall high level of satisfaction with the average score for radiotherapy staff, and radiologic technologist students were 4.21±0.63 and 3.96±0.68. In summary, the pelvic phantom is easy method and low cost. It is plays an essential role in studying and training, and it can be used for practical training of cervical cancer treatment in brachytherapy. With correctly and safety.