RESTRUCTED ANIMAL TISSUE MODEL FOR TRAINING IN LAPAROSCOPIC ANTIREFLUX SURGERY

A model reproducing all the essential features of the human left subdi aphragmatic anatomy has been developed for training in laparoscopic an ti-reflux surgery. The anatomy of the porcine tissue obtained from the abattoir is restructured to simulate more closely the human situation before the model is mounted on a purpose-designed supporting matrix a nd then placed inside a standard laparoscopic trainer. The model permi ts laparoscopic dissection of the hiatus, oesophagus and gastro-oesoph ageal junction, posterior crural repair, and the fashioning of total o r partial fundoplication. To date, the component tissues have been use d fresh but they may be freeze-dried for storage when reconstitution b y immersion is conducted prior to assembly and use.