An animal model to train Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair.

PURPOSE

Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, and the majority of operations worldwide are performed ad modum Lichtenstein (open tension-free mesh repair). Until now, no suitable surgical training model has been available for this procedure. We propose an experimental surgical training model for Lichtenstein's procedure on the male and female pig.

METHODS

In the pig, an incision is made 1 cm cranially to the inguinal sulcus where a string of subcutaneous lymph nodes is located and extends toward the pubic tubercle. The spermatic cord is located in a narrow sulcus in the pig, thus complicating the procedure if operation should be done in the inguinal canal. The chain of lymph nodes resembles the human spermatic cord and can be used to perform Lichtenstein's hernia repair.

RESULTS

This experimental surgical model has been tested on two adult male pigs and three adult female pigs, and a total of 55 surgeons have been educated to perform Lichtenstein's hernia repair in these animals.

CONCLUSIONS

This new experimental surgical model for training Lichtenstein's hernia repair mimics the human inguinal anatomy enough to make it suitable as a training model. The operation facilitates the training in the positioning and fixation of the mesh and can be performed numerous times on the same pig. It is therefore a useful training method for inexperienced surgeons to obtain experience in aspects of the Lichtenstein procedure.