Low-cost simulator for gastroschisis: an educational proposal for teaching neonatal surgery

Introduction: Abdominal wall defects are congenital anomalies that require immediate neonatal management. Low-cost simulation constitutes an accessible alternative for training students and professionals in resource-limited settings.Methods: A methodological study for the development and validation of a simulator. A model (gastroschisis) was constructed using materials readily available in the Cuban market. Validation was carried out using expert criteria (n = 5) through a Likert scale to assess realism, educational utility, and feasibility. Thirty fourth-year medical students participated. Content Validity Indices were calculated.Results: The total cost of the simulator was 1950 CUP / 3,93 USD. Experts assigned average scores higher than 4,5/5 in all categories (global CVI 94,2 %). Of the students, 86,7 % considered that the simulator improved their understanding of initial management. There were no significant differences between the evaluations of experts and students (p > 0.05).Conclusions: The proposed simulator is feasible, low-cost, and valid as an educational tool for teaching the neonatal management of abdominal wall defects. Its implementation in undergraduate education can contribute to improving the preparation of future physicians for primary care.