Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42126443›Full record

ArticleJournal of robotic surgery2026

Robot-assisted TAPP inguinal hernia repair training: validation of a synthetic hydrogel model-an international expert panel study.

Alexis Sanchez, Omaira Rodriguez, Hany Takla, Andre Teixeira

Abstract readValidation Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of robotic surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Alexis SanchezOrlando Health Advanced Robotic Surgery Center, Orlando, FL, US. alexis.sanchez@orlandohealth.com.
Omaira RodriguezFaculty of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
Hany TaklaOrlando Health Advanced Robotic Surgery Center, Orlando, FL, US.
Andre TeixeiraOrlando Health Advanced Robotic Surgery Center, Orlando, FL, US.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSimulation-based training is a critical component of robotic surgical education. While virtual reality platforms are well established for basic skills acquisition, they lack the ability to replicate tissue handling required for procedural simulation. Synthetic models have emerged as a promising alternative; however, formal validation is required prior to their integration into training curricula. This study aimed to establish the face and content validity of the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) Surgical model for robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair.

methodsA prospective content validity study was conducted using an international expert panel. Surgeons with experience in robotic TAPP repair and prior exposure to the IMRA model were recruited. A 48-item survey instrument was developed and organized across domains including anatomical fidelity, procedural relevance, haptic properties, and educational utility. Items were rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Item-level content validity indices (I-CVI) were calculated, with a threshold of ≥ 0.78 for retention. The scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) was computed, with ≥ 0.90 considered acceptable. Face validity was assessed using five global rating items (1-10 scale).

resultsTen expert surgeons from three countries participated. The overall face validity score was 8.78/10, with all domains exceeding 8.0, including educational value (9.40) and procedural relevance (8.90). The S-CVI/Ave was 0.929. Of 48 items, 44 (91.7%) achieved I-CVI ≥ 0.78. Four items did not meet the threshold, primarily related to advanced dissection steps and model-specific anatomical features. 90% of experts endorsed the model without reservations.

conclusionThe IMRA synthetic simulation model for robotic TAPP inguinal hernia repair demonstrates strong face and content validity. These findings support its integration into structured robotic training programs and provide a foundation for future studies evaluating construct and criterion validity.

Indexed as

Hernia, InguinalHerniorrhaphyHydrogelsModels, AnatomicRobotic Surgical ProceduresSimulation TrainingClinical CompetenceHumansProspective StudiesReproducibility of ResultsSurgeonsHydrogelsInguinal herniaRobotic surgerySimulationTrainingValidation

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.