A Low‐Cost Synthetic Abdominal Wall Model (“Raj Model”) for the Training of Laparoscopic Port Insertion

Abstract

Objective To assess the content validity of a low-cost bench-top model (''Raj Model'') for the training of laparoscopic port insertion at the Urology Simulation Bootcamp course (USBC). Materials and methods A low-cost abdominal wall model of 40 9 40 cm was created to simulate laparoscopic port placement. The model was made using different synthetic materials to represent layers (skin-vinyl sheet, subcutaneous fat-10 mm soft foam, anterior rectus sheath and muscle-floor mat, posterior rectus sheath-masking wall tape, peritoneum-sellotape). Each model was used by up to 3 trainees to practise laparoscopic port placement. The model was assessed for content validity by trainees and experts using a 5-point Likert scale. Result In total, 88 trainees and 6 experts participated in the study. For all aspects of the synthetic abdominal wall, good (4) or very good (5) scores ranged from 52.7-69.2%, whereas very poor (1) rating ranged from 0 to 4.3%. There was no significant difference in responses for the content validity of the model between trainees and experts. There was a high intraclass correlation amongst responses from trainees (0.89) and experts (0.79). Approximately 76.3% of trainees and experts felt that the model is suitable for training. Conclusion This is the first validation study of a low-cost abdominal wall model for teaching laparoscopic port placement for trainees. Our study demonstrates that this synthetic model has high content validity and is useful for surgical training. AbbreviationsUSBC Urology simulation bootcamp course EWTR European working time regulations JCST Joint committee on surgical training VR Virtual reality

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