Training Model for Open or Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the construction of a simple training model from reconfigured chicken skin to simulate open and laparoscopic reconstructive pyeloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reconfiguring and suturing chicken skin dissected off its muscle creates a model of the ureteropelvic junction. Dismembered pyeloplasty techniques may be practiced with open or laparoscopic equipment. Students with prior training in suturing and knot-tying only used the open pyeloplasty model on three occasions. Urology trainees experienced in surgery but not laparoscopic pyeloplasty used the model laparoscopically. RESULTS: Students demonstrated a significant improvement (P < 0.05) between their first (17.00 +/- 4.44 minutes; mean +/- 95% CI) and third (11.33 +/- 2.40 minutes) attempts using the open model. Urology trainees improved their mean times from the first (18.0 minutes) to third (11.8 minutes) attempts using the laparoscopic model. CONCLUSIONS: This cheap and readily available model is reproducible and applicable to training in both open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty.