Laparoscopic appendicectomy is a key index procedure and previously featured on the skills curriculum for ST3 and ST4 trainees. The commercially available model was deemed inappropriate for teaching at this level of training, therefore, we developed and taught using our own in-house simulator.
During the development stage, our in-house model developer worked with a multidisciplinary team of educationalists, consultants and trainees in order to recreate a highly realistic model that simulates the anatomical layers and the challenge involved in retrocaecal appendicectomy. The prototype has been used for training with positive feedback and some suggestions for improvement.
The model designer has to manufacture one model for each of the approximately 100 ST3 and ST4 General Surgical trainees on the Skills Programme each year.