Analysis of a practical surgical skills laboratory for nerve sparing radical prostatectomy

• Published in: World journal of urology 2019-05, Vol.37 (5), p.799-804
• Main Authors: Clarebrough, Emma, Christidis, Daniel, Lindner, Uri, Fernandes, Kimberly, Fleshner, Neil, Lawrentschuk, Nathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical Competence; Education; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nephrology; Oncology; Organ Sparing Treatments; Original Article; Peripheral Nerves - anatomy & histology; Prostate - anatomy & histology; Prostate - surgery; Prostatectomy - education; Prostatectomy - methods; Prostatic Neoplasms - surgery; Simulation Training; Urology; Urology - education
• ISSN: 0724-4983; 1433-8726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00345-018-2472-7

Purpose With the rapidly expanding anatomical and technical knowledge surrounding nervesparing radical prostatectomy (NSRP), anatomical and operative textbooks have failed to keep pace with the literature. A surgical skill laboratory (SSL) was designed to educate urology trainees on surgical anatomy and techniques for NSRP. The objective was to assess the validity of a SSL program. Methods A low-fidelity, anatomically accurate prostate model with its appropriate fascial coverings and location of the neurovascular bundle was created. Participants were surveyed prior to a SSL workshop for their knowledge of NSRP focusing on clinical and anatomical considerations. An interactive 2-h tutorial and workshop was then undertaken outlining the clinical and anatomical nuances for NSRP, with participants then practising an intra and inter-fascial NSRP on the model. Participants were resurveyed immediately after the workshop and at 6 months. Results Thirty participants completed the NSRP workshop. Significant differences ( p