title: Development of exophytic tumor model for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: technique and initial experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and test a porcine model to help teach the techniques needed to perform laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN), which is a technically challenging procedure with necessary reconstructive skills that are difficult to transfer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tumor model was created by unilateral subcapsular percutaneous injection of liquid plastic (Smooth-Cast 320) in five pig kidneys. Five Washington University urologists performed LPN and assessed the efficacy of the tumor model. Subsequently, the tumor model was evaluated as a tool for teaching LPN during the Washington University Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic Urologic Oncology Course. Twenty-eight participants performed unilateral porcine LPN with the tumor model. Questionnaires were used to assess the utility of this tumor model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Unilateral tumors were successfully created in five pigs and remained intact during all LPN procedures. Visually, the tumors appeared as white exophytic masses. Ultrasonography revealed a well-circumscribed, hypoechoic lesion and a mean diameter of 2.02 cm. The mean operative time was 32.4 minutes. In subsequent testing, 24 (86%) of the 28 participants returned the questionnaire, and 96% responded that the tumor model had enhanced their LPN learning experience. Seven course participants (29%) reported problems with hemostasis, ultrasonography, or laparoscopic instrumentation. Two tumor model-related complications occurred. During the initial evaluation, one pig experienced a fatal pulmonary embolism of the plastic. During the course, a second animal experienced extravasation of the solution into the renal collecting system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For surgical education purposes, the Smooth-Cast model is an effective surgical tool for LPN. Most of the surgeons in this evaluation believed the model enhanced their learning experience.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hidalgo
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belani
authors.forename: Keegan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lieber
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talcott
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: Ramakrishna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venkatesh
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D010969:Plastics; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics