Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy training: Description of a canine cadaveric model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Assess the relevance of a canine model in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) training. METHODS: Step-by-step RARP was performed in five dog cadavers using a Da Vinci Si® Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.). The steps were defined according to the RARP score, a validated training tool describing 17 key steps and four levels of difficulty; each step was scored to reflect the anatomical and technical similarities, realism of dissection, and face validity of the canine model compared to the human procedure. RESULTS: Fourteen steps were performed during each procedure. Face validity was scored as high or very high for five of the nine steps of difficulty levels 1 and 2 as well as five of the eight steps of difficulty levels 3 and 4, especially nerve preservation, vesicourethral anastomosis and lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: The cadaveric canine model seems to be a realistic and relevant training model for key steps of RARP.