Design and implementation of modular laparoscopic general surgery models for surgical education

Abstract

Appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and inguinal herniorrhaphy are fundamental procedures in general surgery. These surgeries help trainees develop essential surgical skills, including technical proficiency and surgical planning. In this study, we aimed to design and produce modular laparoscopic surgical training models tailored to the needs of surgical education. Modular laparoscopic models for appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and inguinal herniorrhaphy were developed. The cholecystectomy and appendectomy models consisted of two components: a frame and a module, whereas the herniorrhaphy model included a pelvic cavity and peritoneum. A surgical resident with two years of laparoscopic experience at the Department of Surgery at Severance Hospital evaluated the simulators. The modular laparoscopic surgical training models developed in this study are cost-effective, realistic, and capable of precisely simulating surgical environments. These models provide an effective educational tool for enhancing surgical training.

Keywords: Anatomic models; Appendectomy; Cholecystectomy; Herniorrhaphy; Minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Fig. 1

Modularly designed simulator models. (A, B) Cholecystectomy, (C, D) appendectomy, and (E, F) inguinal herniorrhaphy.