title: Chicken gizzard: a new training model for laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To create a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible animal model to provide a new training option for performing urethrovesical anastomosis during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Development and testing were carried out in 2008. The materials used included a laparoscopic training box, video camera, monitor, needle holder, sutures, and non-eviscerated chickens weighing more than 2 kilograms. The model was prepared with a new perception of a structure similar to the human pelvis. To create the anastomosis, we used the gizzard (bladder neck) and the rectum (urethra). Once the model was placed in the box, the anastomosis was performed under very similar anatomical conditions to real procedures. Anastomosis quality was assessed by means of a permeability test and transanal endoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operating field is very similar to the human pelvis. The tissues have a quality, texture, and diameter resembling those of the urethra (rectum) and the bladder neck (gizzard), and offer the opportunity to practise anastomosis and anterior racket.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model for urethrovesical anastomosis using the chicken gizzard and rectum is simple, easily available, inexpensive and reproducible. The anatomy of the chicken and the characteristics of its tissues allow for training under conditions very similar to those present in human cases.
authors.affiliation: Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery Centre, La Floresta Medical Centre, Caracas, Venezuela. renesotelo@cantv.net
authors.forename: Rene J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sotelo
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Astigueta
authors.forename: Oswaldo J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: De Andrade
authors.forename: Otto E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Moreira
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000193:education; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005895:Gizzard, Avian; D010535:Laparoscopy; D023421:Models, Animal; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000193:education*; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000601:surgery*