Objective
To provide a training tool to address the technical challenges of robot-assisted laparoscopic
partial nephrectomy, we created silicone renal tumor models using 3-dimensional printed
molds of a patient's kidney with a mass. In this study, we assessed the face, content,
and construct validity of these models.
Materials and Methods
Surgeons of different training levels completed 4 simulations on silicone renal tumor
models. Participants were surveyed on the usefulness and realism of the model as a
training tool. Performance was measured using operation-specific metrics, self-reported
operative demands (NASA Task Load Index [NASA TLX]), and blinded expert assessment
(Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Surgeons [GEARS]).
Results
Twenty-four participants included attending urologists, endourology fellows, urology
residents, and medical students. Post-training surveys of expert participants yielded
mean results of 79.2 on the realism of the model's overall feel and 90.2 on the model's
overall usefulness for training. Renal artery clamp times and GEARS scores were significantly
better in surgeons further in training (P ≤.005 and P ≤.025). Renal artery clamp times, preserved renal parenchyma, positive margins, NASA
TLX, and GEARS scores were all found to improve across trials (P <.001, P = .025, P = .024, P ≤.020, and P ≤.006, respectively).
Conclusion
Face, content, and construct validity were demonstrated in the use of a silicone renal
tumor model in a cohort of surgeons of different training levels. Expert participants
deemed the model useful and realistic. Surgeons of higher training levels performed
better than less experienced surgeons in various study metrics, and improvements within
individuals were observed over sequential trials. Future studies should aim to assess
model predictive validity, namely, the association between model performance improvements
and improvements in live surgery.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 05, 2018
Accepted:
January 26,
2018
Received:
December 1,
2017
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: The authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests.
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
