V02-01: Design and validation of a non-biohazardous Simulation Model for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP).

Ahmed Ghazi*, Rachel Melnyk, John Melnyk, Rajat Jain, Scott Quarrier, Rochester, NY, Amy Krambeck, Chicago, IL, Nicole Miller, Nashville, TN, Narang Gopal, Mitchell Humphreys, Phoenix, AZ

Introduction: HoLEP is a an underutilized, minimally invasive approach for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Its steep learning curve and lack of realistic simulation platforms with incorporated objective metrics has hindered the adoption of this technique. Our aim is to demonstrate the design and validation of a high-fidelity non-biohazardous hydrogel platform fabricated to specifications attained through expert consensus.

Methods: Validation was completed in 3 phases: Phase 1, Delphi methodology to gain consensus from an expert panel of endourologists. Consensus (>80% agreement) over 3 rounds defined 81 essential elements. Phase 2, Prototype development: these essential items were incorporated into prototypes fabricated using a combination of hydrogel molding and 3D printing. Phase 3: Validation comparing 6 experts and 6 novices performance from 4 centers using the consensus based objective and subjective metrics.

Results: The model contained all 9 anatomic components (ex. bladder, ureteric orifices, lateral and median lobes, capsule, urethra), 7 objective evaluation metrics (ex. injury of ureteric orifices or bladder neck, perforation of the bladder or prostate capsule), and 5 procedural steps except for hemostasis and morcellation. Categorically overall utility, anatomical and procedural components, tissue fidelity, and assessment of performance received an 82%, 78%, 73% and 82% satisfaction score by experts respectively. Laser and instrument tissue interactions achieved highest (>85%) satisfaction. Experts outperformed novices in enucleation time (15.1 vs 47.5 min p=0.001), weight of adenoma resected (75.5 vs 49 g p=0.04) and developed global evaluation too (27 vs 15.8 p=0.001). All experts agreed the model could provide a safe training alternative, be used to evaluate trainee performance, and trial new approaches in a risk-free environment.

Conclusions: This is the first consensus-based approach to design and provide initial validation of a non-biohazardous HoLEP simulation with incorporated evaluation metrics capable of supplementing HoLEP training. Further validation studies are required to establish its effectiveness as a training platform

Source of Funding: NA