title: LapED 4-In-1 silicone training aid for practicing laparoscopic skills and tasks: a preliminary evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We developed a simple, inexpensive model to simulate four reconstructive laparoscopic procedures: pyeloplasty, vesicourethral anastomosis, bladder injury repair, and partial nephrectomy.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine, Orange, California 92868, USA.
authors.forename: Jose Benito A
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Corollos S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Abdelshehid
authors.forename: Hak J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alipanah
authors.forename: Lorena A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Sargent
authors.forename: Geoffrey N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Box
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Deane
authors.forename: Elspeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.forename: Ralph V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012828:Silicones; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones