title: Transfer of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy skills from bench model to animal model: a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Learning laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis is a crucial step in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Previously we noted that practice on a low fidelity urethrovesical model was more effective for trainees than basic suturing drills on a foam pad when learning laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis skills. We evaluated learner transfer of skills, specifically whether skills learned on the urethrovesical model would transfer to a high fidelity, live animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 28 senior residents, fellows and staff surgeons in urology, general surgery and gynecology were randomized to 2 hours of laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis training on a urethrovesical model (group 1) or to basic laparoscopic suturing and knot tying on foam pads (group 2). All participants then performed timed laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis on anesthetized female pigs. A blinded urologist scored subject videotaped performance using checklist, global rating scale and end product rating scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group 1 was significantly more adept than group 2 at the laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis pig task when measured by the checklist, global rating scale and end product rating (each p <0.05). Time to completion was similar in the 2 groups. No statistically significant difference was noted in global rating scale and checklist scores for laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis performed on the urethrovesical model vs the pig.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training on a urethrovesical model is superior to training with basic laparoscopic suturing on a foam pad for performing laparoscopic urethrovesical anastomosis skills on an anesthetized female pig. Skills learned on a urethrovesical model transfer to a high fidelity, live animal model.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabbagh
authors.forename: Suman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: Jen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoogenes
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D023421:Models, Animal; D017145:Models, Educational; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education; D013552:Swine; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult