Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy training: Description of a canine cadaveric model

Background Assess the relevance of a canine model in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) training. Methods Step-by-step RARP was performed in five dog cadavers using a Da Vinci Si (R) Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.). The steps were defined according to the RARP score, a validated training tool describing 17 key steps and four levels of difficulty; each step was scored to reflect the anatomical and technical similarities, realism of dissection, and face validity of the canine model compared to the human procedure. Results Fourteen steps were performed during each procedure. Face validity was scored as high or very high for five of the nine steps of difficulty levels 1 and 2 as well as five of the eight steps of difficulty levels 3 and 4, especially nerve preservation, vesicourethral anastomosis and lymph node dissection. Conclusions The cadaveric canine model seems to be a realistic and relevant training model for key steps of RARP.