Development of a patient-specific simulator for laparoscopic renal surgery

Objectives: To describe the development of a patient-specific simulator for laparoscopic renal surgery. Methods: Image data of each patient scheduled to undergo laparoscopic renal surgery are captured by the simulator, enabling each patient's organs to be reproduced. The surgeon can carry out a preoperative rehearsal of the operation by using a simulator based on patient-specific data. Results: The simulator is programmed to be adapted to both laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic surgery. The scope and the trocars can be located anywhere on the skin, and visualized on the monitor of the simulator. Dissection of the renal hilum can be simulated based in the anatomy of each patient. The haptic device of the simulator provides interactive resistance between the organs and surgical tools during the simulation. Conclusions: This patient-specific simulator has been developed with the purpose of providing surgeons with a practical training tool for laparoscopic renal surgery. Using specific data for each patient, the simulator enables surgeons to carry out a rehearsal operation.