The Neo-Papilla: a new modification of porcine ex vivo simulators for ERCP training (with videos).
BACKGROUND
Computer simulators, live pigs, and ex vivo porcine simulators are used for training in ERCP. The location of the porcine biliary orifice in the proximal duodenum is dissimilar to human anatomy, making the endoscopy experience less realistic. In addition, in native porcine anatomy, the pancreatic duct enters the duodenum distal to the biliary orifice, limiting the teaching of pancreatic techniques and selective duct cannulation.


OBJECTIVE
To overcome these limitations, we aimed to construct a Neo-Papilla that could be incorporated into an ex vivo model.


METHODS
We attached chicken heart tissue to the porcine duodenum, with integrated porcine arteries that resembled an artificial common bile duct and a pancreatic duct.


METHODS
The simulator was presented and evaluated at 2 major GI endoscopy conferences.


METHODS
The feasibility and the realism of this prototype was tested by 9 recognized ERCP experts who rated this model in comparison to other teaching models for ERCP by recollection of prior experience.


RESULTS
The Neo-Papilla was more prominent and more distally located than the native porcine papilla. The experts rated this modification superior to existing models in its usefulness as an educational tool.


CONCLUSIONS
Pilot study.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated the technical feasibility of a real-tissue Neo-Papilla modification of porcine ex vivo simulators, more closely approximating the natural anatomy. This new model should facilitate ERCP training. Formal validation studies are warranted.
Matthes
Kai
K
Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Cohen
Jonathan
J
D014670:Ampulla of Vater / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004493:Education; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000033:anatomy & histology