Development and validation of a simulation training platform for the ligation of deep dorsal vein complex in radical prostatectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to design a low-cost, simulation training platform for the ligation of deep dorsal vein (DVC) complex in radical prostatectomy and validate its training effectiveness. Methods: A simplified prostate urethra model was produced by 0-degree silica gel and pulse pressure banding. This model was placed on a slope of about 30 degrees using cardboard to thus creating a narrow environment of the pelvis. The DVC ligation was performed by a 2D laparoscopy simulator. A total of 27 participants completed the study include 13 novices, 10 surgical residents and 4 urology experts. The novices were trained five trails with 24 hours interval, the residents and experts completed the DVC ligation once. The construct validity of this simulation training platform was performed by completing time, the GOALS (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills) and TSA (i.e. Task Specific Assessments) score. The face validity and content validity were performed by a specific closed-ended questionnaire. Results: There was no significant difference among three groups in demographic or psychometric variables ( Conclusion: We developed a novel low-cost a simulation training platform for the ligation of deep dorsal vein complex in radical prostatectomy, and this simulator had a good performance in the construct validity, face validity and content validity.