A Novel High-Fidelity Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Simulator

Abstract Introduction: There is a paucity of realistic simulators for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) despite the realization that they can shorten the well-known learning curve. Existing ex vivo models focus only on the vesicourethral anastomosis, failing to provide training for other steps. Our goal was to create a high-fidelity, ex vivo tissue-based simulator that allows practice of key steps of RARP in a sequential fashion. Materials and Methods (including a description of the video): A mock-up of the human male genitourinary system as relevant to RARP was created from female porcine genitourinary tract tissue to represent the urethra, bladder, prostate, pedicles, seminal vesicles, rectum, dorsal venous complex, and neurovascular bundles. This model was placed into a replica of the human pelvis and positioned under the da Vinci Surgical System. The following steps of RARP can be simulated: ligation of the dorsal venous complex, division of the vesicoprostatic junction, dissection of the se...