title: New anatomical simulator for pediatric neuroendoscopic practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The practice of neuroendoscopic procedures requires many years of training to obtain the adequate skills to perform these operations safely. In this study, we present a new pediatric neuroendoscopic simulator that facilitates training.
  This realistic simulator was built with a synthetic thermo-retractile and thermo-sensible rubber called Neoderma® which, when combined with different polymers, produces more than 30 different formulae, which present textures, consistencies, and mechanical resistances similar to many human tissues. Silicon and fiberglass molds, in the shape of the cerebral ventricles, constitute the basic structure of the neuroendoscopic training module. The module offers the possibility for practicing many basic neuroendoscopic techniques such as: navigating the ventricular system to visualize important anatomic landmarks (e.g., septal and thalamostriate veins, foramen of Monro, temporal horns, aqueduct, and fourth ventricle), performing third ventriculostomy and choroid plexus cauterization, and resecting intraventricular "tumors" that bleed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to emphasize that it is possible to perform with this simulator not only the rigid but also the flexible endoscopy, with good correspondence to reality and no risks. Notable future perspectives can be considered regarding this new pediatric simulator, for example, to improve the learning curve for nonexperienced neurosurgeons and to spread the flexible endoscopy technique.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurosurgery Center/CENEPE, Beneficência Portuguesa Hospital, Rua Capitão Mor Roque Barreto, no 47-Térreo Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP CEP, 01323-030, Brazil, gigicoelho7@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zymberg
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyra
authors.forename: Nelci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Warf
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D044583:Neuroendoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*