Long-term impact of a robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy mini fellowship training program on postgraduate urological practice patterns.

PURPOSE: Robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy has stimulated a great deal of interest among urologists. We evaluated whether a mini fellowship for robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy would enable postgraduate urologists to incorporate this new procedure into clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2003 to July 2006, 47 urologists participated in the robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy mini fellowship program. The 5-day course had a 1:2 faculty-to-attendee ratio. The curriculum included lectures, tutorials, surgical case observation, and inanimate, animate and cadaveric robotic skill training. Questionnaires assessing practice patterns 1, 2 and 3 years after the mini fellowship program were analyzed. RESULTS: One, 2 and 3 years after the program the response rate to the questionnaires was 89% (42 of 47 participants), 91% (32 of 35) and 88% (21 of 24), respectively. The percent of participants performing robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy in years 1 to 3 after the mini fellowship was 78% (33 of 42), 78% (25 of 32) and 86% (18 of 21), respectively. Among the surgeons performing the procedure there was a progressive increase in the number of cases each year with increasing time since the mini fellowship training. In the 3 attendees not performing the procedure 3 years after the mini fellowship training the reasons were lack of a robot, other partners performing it and a feeling of insufficient training to incorporate the procedure into clinical practice in 1 each. One, 2 and 3 years following the mini fellowship training program 83%, 84% and 90% of partnered attendees were performing robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, while only 67%, 56% and 78% of solo attendees, respectively, were performing it at the same followup years. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive, dedicated 5-day educational course focused on learning robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy enabled most participants to successfully incorporate and maintain this procedure in clinical practice in the short term and long term.

LapED 4-In-1 silicone training aid for practicing laparoscopic skills and tasks: a preliminary evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: We developed a simple, inexpensive model to simulate four reconstructive laparoscopic procedures: pyeloplasty, vesicourethral anastomosis, bladder injury repair, and partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liquid silicone was applied in layers to a mold to create the 4-in-1 model. A questionnaire evaluating its face and content validity was distributed to postgraduate urologists participating in a mini-residency program at the University of California-Irvine (UCI), and in the 2006 American Urological Association Hands-On course on reconstructive laparoscopic pyeloplasty. RESULTS: A total of 56 postgraduate urologists used the model and completed an evaluation questionnaire. Ninety-four percent (51/54) and 96% (48/50) agreed that the model was helpful for practicing laparoscopic pyeloplasty and urethrovesical anastomosis, respectively. Urologists who were experienced in either performing laparoscopic pyeloplasty (n = 6) or robot-assisted and/or laparoscopic prostatectomy (n = 11) would recommend this model to surgeons in training. Overall, 94% (48/51) and 96% (50/52) of the respondents would recommend this model for postgraduate surgeons and residents, respectively. CONCLUSION: We present a versatile model for practicing laparoscopic and robotic suturing and knot-tying skills in four reconstructive urologic procedures. Our results support the face and content validity of this model for performing pyeloplasty and vesicourethral anastomoses.

Immediate impact of an intensive one-week laparoscopy training program on laparoscopic skills among postgraduate urologists.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic techniques are difficult to master, especially for surgeons who did not receive such training during residency. To help urologists master challenging laparoscopic skills, a unique 5-day mini-residency (M-R) program was established at the University of California, Irvine. The first 101 participants in this program were evaluated on their laparoscopic skills acquisition at the end of the 5-day experience. METHODS: Two urologists are accepted per week into 1 of 4 training modules: (1) ureteroscopy/percutaneous renal access; (2) laparoscopic ablative renal surgery; (3) laparoscopic reconstructive renal surgery; and (4) robot-assisted prostatectomy. The program consists of didactic lectures, pelvic trainer and virtual reality simulator practice, animal and cadaver laboratory sessions, and observation or participation in human surgeries. Skills testing (ST) simulating open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery is assessed in all of the M-R participants on training days 1 and 5. Tests include ring transfer, suture threading, cutting, and suturing. Performance is evaluated by an experienced observer using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) scoring system. Statistical methods used include the paired sample t test and analysis of variance at a confidence level of P

Rapid communication: transvaginal single-port NOTES nephrectomy: initial laboratory experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using purpose-built equipment has never been applied to urologic surgery. Herein, we present our initial experience with a trans-vaginal single-port NOTES nephrectomy. METHODS AND RESULTS: An acute experiment was performed in a female farm pig. A single 12-mm trocar was placed in the midline and the TransPort Multi-Lumen Operating Platform (USGI Medical, San Clemente, CA) was passed transvaginally. This flexible device has four working channels and can be locked into position, thereby creating a rigid multitasking platform that allows two-handed tissue manipulation. Dissection was performed using an endoscopic needle knife and a tissue grasper for retraction. Via the 12-mm port, the renal artery and vein were taken separately with a vascular EndoGIA and standard laparoscopic titanium clips, respectively. The kidney was placed in a 10-mm EndoPouch retriever and removed intact via the vagina. The total operative time was 300 minutes. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal NOTES nephrectomy can be accomplished in a porcine model. Additional testing on survival animals is necessary to validate this approach.