TissueDB/Simulators/Laparoscopic Appendectomy Simulator (LapAppendectomy4all)
The LapAppendectomy4all Laparoscopic Appendectomy Simulator is a low-cost silicone model for practising laparoscopic appendectomy. It represents the appendix, cecum, mesoappendix and appendicular artery.[1] The model sits inside the MIS First Trainer platform (ACADEMIA FT, Portugal). Trainees use graspers to isolate the appendix and artery, apply clips, and section the structures with laparoscopic scissors. The source describes silicone layers but gives no products, grades, quantities or mould process.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Features and Basic Operation | Trainees practise mesoappendix dissection, clipping and division of the appendix and artery. The silicone anatomy sits over a simulated retroperitoneum, medial to the right paracolic gutter. |
| Current Development Status | Face, content and construct validity assessed in a pilot study; transfer to live surgery not assessed. |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | Not stated in source |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | For operating the simulation: a smartphone, tablet or laptop with webcam (as the MIS camera and screen); a Maryland grasper and a clinch grasper (to dissect the mesoappendix and isolate the appendicular artery and appendix); Hem-o-lok clips (to ligate the appendix and artery); laparoscopic scissors (to section the ligated structures). |
| Version | Version one |
| Development Team Contact Information | Mário Rui Gonçalves and colleagues, Centro Académico Clínico das Beiras, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal. Correspondence: marioruig@gmail.com. |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appendix | 1 | Silicone (product and grade not reported in the paper) | — | Isolated, ligated with Hem-o-lok clips and sectioned during the simulated procedure. Exact silicone formulation, quantity and mould process not stated in the source. |
| Cecum | 1 | Silicone (product and grade not reported in the paper) | — | In its anatomical position relative to the appendix. Exact silicone formulation, quantity and mould process not stated in the source. |
| Mesoappendix | 1 | Silicone (product and grade not reported in the paper) | — | Dissected to isolate the appendicular artery and appendix. Represented as "fat" in the source; exact form not further specified. |
| Appendicular artery | 1 | Silicone (product and grade not reported in the paper) | — | Isolated and ligated with Hem-o-lok clips, then sectioned with laparoscopic scissors. |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIS First Trainer platform | 1 | Commercial platform (ACADEMIA FT, Portugal); material not stated in source | — | Portable MIS training platform; part of the Training4all Project (Portugal, established 2017), which the paper describes as issuing a platform to residents at the start of residency. The silicone model sits inside it; a smartphone, tablet or laptop with webcam serves as the camera and screen. |
Consumables
| Consumable | Quantity | Material | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligation clips | As required | Hem-o-lok clips | — | Used to ligate the appendix and appendicular artery before sectioning. The paper gives no purchase quantity or separate clip cost. |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Obtain the components
Step 1: Obtain the MIS First Trainer platform.
The study used the MIS First Trainer platform from ACADEMIA FT, Portugal. The Training4all Project issued a platform and instruments to residents in Portugal. Total purchase cost is unknown because the paper gives no price for the MIS First Trainer platform. The silicone-model price alone does not establish the cost of the complete simulator.
Step 2: Obtain the silicone appendectomy model.
Ask the corresponding author about model availability and manufacturing details. The paper does not establish a public purchase route. The paper reports approximately 60 euros for the silicone model and nearly 60 euros per training opportunity. It does not give the silicone grades, quantities or mould process.
Phase 2: Set up the simulation
Step 3: Place the silicone model inside the MIS First Trainer platform.
Step 4: Obtain the operating instruments and clips.
Obtain a Maryland grasper, a clinch grasper, laparoscopic scissors and Hem-o-lok clips.
Step 5: Set up the camera and screen.
Use a smartphone or tablet as the camera and screen. The platform also supports a laptop with webcam.
Operating Steps
- Place the model into the MIS First Trainer platform.
- Set up a smartphone, tablet, or laptop with webcam to serve as the MIS camera and screen at the same time.
- Using a Maryland grasper and a clinch grasper, dissect the mesoappendix and isolate the appendicular artery and the appendix.
- Ligate the appendix and the artery with Hem-o-lok clips.
- Section both ligated structures with laparoscopic scissors, then isolate the rest of the appendix to complete the simulated appendectomy.
References
- ↑ Gonçalves MR, Marinho R, Reis SG, Viveiros R, Teixeira MM, Andrade AK, Girão MC, Rodrigues PPV, Sousa MCB (2025). "LapAppendectomy4all: validation of a new methodology for laparoscopic appendectomy simulation and training." Updates in Surgery 77(4):1051–1058. DOI: 10.1007/s13304-025-02127-y. PMC: PMC12263465. CC BY 4.0.
| Alternative names | LapAppendectomy4all |
|---|
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Laparoscopic Appendectomy Simulator (LapAppendectomy4all)". Appropedia. Retrieved October 3, 2026. |