Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42417972›Full record

ArticlePediatric surgery international2026

Laparoscopic training in porcine models: a tool for continuous professional skill enhancement for paediatric surgeons.

Marco Pensabene, Maria Patti, Fabio Baldanza, Francesco Grasso, Luca Cicero, Maria Sergio, Maria Rita Di Pace

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric surgery international, 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
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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

7 authors.

Marco PensabenePediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Maria PattiPediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Fabio BaldanzaPediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Francesco GrassoPediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Luca CiceroIstituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Sicilia, IZS, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Maria SergioPediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy. maria.sergio@unipa.it.
Maria Rita Di PacePediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeLaparoscopic training is an established component of minimally invasive surgery education, and involves different tools: virtual reality, training box and in vivo models. The use of porcine models is the most similar to human anatomy. Its role is well known during the residency program, but its specific impact on paediatric surgery consultants performance is poorly explored.

methodsSix consultant surgeons attempted a consecutive 4-h a week laparoscopic training on porcine models for a total of 12 weeks, focusing on refinement of fine dissection, intracorporeal suturing, and management of intraoperative complications. Participants underwent pre- and post-training (respectively Period A and B) assessment of surgical effectiveness by assessment of mean operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications on three commonly performed procedures: inguinal hernia repair, varicocelectomy and laparoscopic orchiopexy.

results210 procedures were analysed, 109 before and 101 after the training. We observed a significant overall reduction in operative time for all procedures (p = 0.007); more precisely, inguinal hernia repair and varicocelectomy showed a significant reduction in operative time (p = 0.028 and p = 0.04 respectively), while no significant reduction in operative time for laparoscopic orchidopexy was observed (p = 0.2668). Mean age at surgical intervention was significantly reduced in period B for herniorrhaphy.

conclusionLaparoscopic training in porcine models could be considered an effective tool to improve skills of paediatric surgery consultants. Its use could allow the improvement of laparoscopic confidence and effectiveness also in surgeons with an already acquired learning curve, supporting the systematic and continuous integration of such programmes into the professional development.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceLaparoscopyPediatricsAnimalsHernia, InguinalHerniorrhaphyHumansMaleModels, AnimalOperative TimeOrchiopexySwineVaricoceleAnimal modelLaparoscopic pediatric surgeryLaparoscopic trainingLaparoscopyPediatric surgeon

Identifiers

PMID42417972
PMCPMC13346154

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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.