First Prize: A phantom model as a teaching modality for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Published in Journal of Endourology, 2012
Recommended citation: Fernandez A, Chen ECS, Moore J, Cheung C, Erdeljan P, Fuller A, McDougall EM, Peters TM, Pautler SE, (2012). "First Prize: A phantom model as a teaching modality for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy"; in Journal of Endourology, 26(1), pp. 1-5. http://doi.org/10.1089/end.2011.0131
Purpose: To evaluate a materials model for laparoscopic ultrasound identification and partial nephrectomy of kidney tumors.
Methods: Five urology fellows performed laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) examination of the tumor model, and the time for identification was recorded. After identifying the tumor, they performed a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using the target tumor with measurement of operative parameters. They completed a questionnaire and rated the quality of the renal tumor model on a 5-point Likert scale.
Results: The participants were able to identify 49 tumors by LUS (98%). The mean time to identify the renal tumors by LUS was 1.12 minutes±0.93 standard deviation (SD). A partial nephrectomy was successfully completed on 49 tumor models (98%). The mean resection time was 7.69 minutes±3.8 SD. All of the participants considered that this model was helpful in the practice of LPN. The fellows would recommend this model as a teaching tool for residents/fellows to perform tumor imaging by LUS and for practicing LPN in a simulated environment.
Conclusion: We have developed a unique model that simulates small kidney tumors that can be used for training surgeons in the clinical skills of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.