Development of biotissue training models for anastomotic suturing in pancreatic surgery

Emir Karadza, Caelan M. Haney, Eldridge F. Limen, Philip C. Müller, Karl-Friedrich Kowalewski, Marta Sandini, Erica Wennberg, Mona W. Schmidt, Eleni A. Felinska, Franziska Lang, Gabriel Salg, Hannes G. Kenngott, Elena Rangelova, Sven Mieog, Frederique Vissers, Maarten Korrel, Maurice Zwart, Alain Sauvanet, Martin Loos, Arianeb MehrabiMartin de Santibanes, Shailesh V. Shrikhande, Mohammad Abu Hilal, Marc G. Besselink, Beat P. Müller-Stich, Thilo Hackert, Felix Nickel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Anastomotic suturing is the Achilles heel of pancreatic surgery. Especially in laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery, the pancreatic anastomosis should first be trained outside the operating room. Realistic training models are therefore needed. Methods: Models of the pancreas, small bowel, stomach, bile duct, and a realistic training torso were developed for training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery. Pancreas models with soft and hard textures, small and large ducts were incrementally developed and evaluated. Experienced pancreatic surgeons (n = 44) evaluated haptic realism, rigidity, fragility of tissues, and realism of suturing and knot tying. Results: In the iterative development process the pancreas models showed high haptic realism and highest realism in suturing (4.6 ± 0.7 and 4.9 ± 0.5 on 1–5 Likert scale, soft pancreas). The small bowel model showed highest haptic realism (4.8 ± 0.4) and optimal wall thickness (0.1 ± 0.4 on −2 to +2 Likert scale) and suturing behavior (0.1 ± 0.4). The bile duct models showed optimal wall thickness (0.3 ± 0.8 and 0.4 ± 0.8 on −2 to +2 Likert scale) and optimal tissue fragility (0 ± 0.9 and 0.3 ± 0.7). Conclusion: The biotissue training models showed high haptic realism and realistic suturing behavior. They are suitable for realistic training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery which may improve patient outcomes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)625-635
Number of pages11
JournalHPB
Volume25
Issue number6
Early online date2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2023

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