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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Simulator Training for Endovascular Neurosurgery
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Patient-Specific Simulation of Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Repair: Initial Experience
Liesbeth M Desender1, Isabelle Van Herzeele1, Zoran Rancic2
1Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Purpose:
Endovascular thoracic aortic repair (TEVAR) has become the treatment modality of diverse aortic pathology. We report the use of patient-specific simulation using a dedicated PROcedure Rehearsal Studio (PRS) platform (Simbionix USA Corp, Cleveland, OH) before TEVAR and evaluate the feasibility and realism of this technology.
Description:
Virtual three-dimensional models of the patient's relevant anatomy were reconstructed from computed tomography data. PRS was used in 2 patients before TEVAR. In a multicenter retrospective study, we evaluated how PRS compares with real TEVAR.
Evaluation:
PRS before TEVAR was feasible and demonstrated good correlation with the actual procedure. In the retrospective study, 16 patients were reconstructed (median duration, 26 minutes; interquartile range, 21 to 36 minutes). The realism of the simulated angiographies was rated highly (median, 4; interquartile range, 3 to 4). Final angiography revealed type I endoleak in 2 simulated cases and 1 real case.
Conclusion:
Patient-specific rehearsal before TEVAR is feasible and permits the creation of realistic case studies; however, software updates are required to improve face validity and to foster implementation in clinical practice.
