[Onset of a training program for single-port laparoscopic urology]

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Urological Oncology
• Surgical Training

Context:

• Establishing a new surgical program requires rigorous training and evaluation.
• Single-port laparoendoscopic surgery offers potential advantages in urology.
• The KeyPort system is a novel approach for minimally invasive procedures.

Purpose:

• To describe the development and initial experience of a single-port laparoendoscopic surgery program in a Urology Service.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a standardized training protocol using simulation and animal models.
• To assess the feasibility of the KeyPort reusable access element for urological oncology procedures.

Summary:

• Experienced surgeons underwent a training program using simulation boxes and porcine models with rigid precurved instruments and the KeyPort reusable access element.
• The training involved tasks such as lymph node dissections, nephrectomies, cystorrhaphy, and uterine-vesical anastomosis.
• Performance improved over time, with reduced task completion times and fewer errors, indicating successful skill acquisition.

Impact:

• The KeyPort approach demonstrates potential for various urological applications.
• Standardized training is crucial for acquiring surgical skills and successful program implementation.
• This experience provides a foundation for introducing single-port laparoendoscopic surgery in human urological oncology.