Practice model for choledochoscopy

Proficiency and expertise with any highly specialized technique demands practice, particularly before performance on the human being. In order to teach the technique of choledochoscopy to residents and surgeons interested in continuing medical education, we designed a canine model for instruction and practice in which a segment of the inferior vena cava, which greatly resembles the size, consistency, and branching pattern of the human common bile duct, is used. This model has been utilized successfully for this purpose for several years. Model preparation is simple and effective and is applicable to any surgical research laboratory.