Ultra-Low-Cost Homemade Reusable Tumor Resection Model With Realistic Haptic Feedback and Photograph-Based Navigation for Neurosurgical Training

Operative Neurosurgery 30:958–970, 2026

This manuscript describes development and validation of an ultra-low-cost, reusable brain tumor resection simulator using slime, shaving foam, and phosphor powder to reproduce realistic haptic feedback and photograph-based navigation. The model was calibrated against fresh sheep brain using an electronic dynamometer and tested by ten neurosurgical trainees across three trials, showing improved resection times and accuracy.

The study reports statistical parity in force measurements with ex vivo tissue, high participant satisfaction scores across detection, resection, orientation, and confidence domains, and a material cost of approximately $22, highlighting scalability for resource-limited training environments.

Purpose: Ultra-low-cost, reusable brain tumor resection training model designed to provide realistic haptic feedback and photograph-based navigation for neurosurgical education, addressing cost/access limits of cadavers and high-fidelity simulators.

Brain parenchyma build: Pseudoparenchyma created by mixing slime with shaving foam to achieve tissue-like consistency, wrapped with plastic wrap to simulate the arachnoid layer.

Tumor + navigation: Tumor simulated using phosphor-powder–infused slime that glows in the dark; smartphone “night mode” photos (taken in darkness) provide a simple navigation/orientation system.

Haptic validation: Force-response testing with an electronic dynamometer showed no statistically significant difference between the model and fresh sheep brain across tested weight categories (P > .05).

Training protocol: 10 trainees performed 3 simulated resections over 3 weeks, with outcomes including resection time, tissue-removal accuracy, and survey-based feedback.

Performance gains: Across trials, participants had reduced resection times (P = .006) and improved tissue-removal precision (P < .05).

User evaluation: Participants reported high satisfaction with haptic realism, navigation, and usability (mean scores ~7.06–7.14), with acceptable-to-good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.78).

Cost & reuse: Materials total about $22 and the model is conservatively reusable for ≥10 full resections; excised slime tumor fragments can be reaggregated for reuse.