A Low-Cost Synthetic Abdominal Wall Model ("Raj Model") for the Training of Laparoscopic Port Insertion

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Urology Training

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery requires proficiency in port insertion.
• Traditional training methods may lack accessibility or be costly.
• Simulation models are crucial for developing surgical skills safely.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the content validity of a novel, low-cost bench-top model for laparoscopic port insertion training.
• To assess the suitability of the "Raj Model" for the Urology Simulation Bootcamp course (USBC).

Main Methods:

• A low-cost abdominal wall model was constructed using various synthetic materials to mimic anatomical layers.
• Eighty-eight trainees and six experts utilized the model for practicing laparoscopic port placement.
• Content validity was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, with high intraclass correlation calculated for responses.

Main Results:

• The synthetic model received good to very good scores (4-5) for most aspects, with minimal very poor ratings (0-4.3%).
• No significant differences were observed in content validity perceptions between trainees and experts.
• Approximately 76.3% of participants found the model suitable for surgical training.

Conclusions:

• This study validates a low-cost, synthetic abdominal wall model for laparoscopic port insertion training.
• The "Raj Model" demonstrates high content validity and practical utility for surgical education.
• This model offers an accessible and effective tool for urology trainees.