TissueDB/Simulators/Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernioplasty TAPP 3D Simulator (Pires de Melo Filho)
General Information
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HerniLap 3D is a low-cost three-dimensional training model for transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. The model uses a 3D-printed male pelvis painted with gouache to anatomy-book colours, a synthetic-rubber Cooper's-ligament substitute, a masking-tape and Contact-adhesive-paper peritoneal overlay, and a latex-glove hernial sac inserted into a sphere-shaped Boolean-modifier defect cut into the pelvis. The transparent peritoneal overlay lets the trainee see the painted anatomical structures beneath it, as in the real procedure.[1]
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| General Information | Clinical procedure: Transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty.[1]
Target learners: General-surgery residents and surgeons learning the TAPP technique.[1] Training curriculum: The model supports a five-stage TAPP curriculum — (1) opening the peritoneum and creating the preperitoneal space; (2) identifying the important structures (inferior epigastric vessels, gonadal vessels and the vas deferens); (3) identifying and reducing the hernia; (4) placing the mesh and fixing it in Cooper's ligament with two clamps (one on Cooper's ligament, one lateral); and (5) closing the peritoneum over the mesh.[1] |
| Features and Basic Operation | What it does: Lets a trainee rehearse all five stages of the TAPP inguinal-hernia repair on a single bench model — opening the preperitoneal space, identifying the inguinal structures, reducing the hernia, placing and tacking the mesh to Cooper's ligament, and closing the peritoneum.[1]
How it operates: A 3D-printed male pelvis is painted in anatomy-book colours and fitted with a synthetic-rubber Cooper's ligament beside a sphere-shaped hernial defect. A masking-tape and Contact-adhesive-paper overlay represents the peritoneum; it is transparent, so the painted structures and the latex-glove hernial sac inside the defect remain visible, as in the real operation. The synthetic-rubber Cooper's ligament accepts stapler tackers so the mesh can be fixed as in the real procedure.[1] Reusability: After the master model was validated, four similar copies were reproduced from it for multi-station training use.[1] |
| Current Development Status | Pilot-tested in a single-centre, non-randomised study; not a randomised controlled trial, and transfer of skills to the operating room was not evaluated.[1] |
| Estimated Build Time and Cost | Not stated in source.[1], Not stated in source.[1] |
| Specialized Tools and Equipment | Fabrication toolchain (named in the source): a 3D printer (the source does not state the filament type or print parameters); Blender 2.79 on Windows 10 for the model geometry, starting from the "Male Pelvis Section" reference file from TurboSquid and applying a sphere-shaped Boolean modifier (difference operation) to cut the hernial defect; two flat Condor brushes and gouache ink for painting the anatomy.[1] For use: a standard laparoscopic set, a laparoscopic stapler/tacker for mesh fixation, and a laparoscopic mesh per practice session.[1] |
| Version | As published in Pires de Melo Filho et al. (2021). The validated master model was reproduced as four similar copies; no later design iterations are documented.[1] |
| Development Team Contact Information | Developed by Luís Pires de Melo Filho and Alexandra Mano Almeida (Department of General Surgery, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Fortaleza) with Edgar Marçal de Barros Filho (Postgraduate Program in Computer Science) and Gleydson Cesar de Oliveira Borges (Professional Master's Degree in Minimally Invasive Technology and Simulation in Health) of Centro Universitário Christus, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. The model was built and validated at the Laboratory of Surgical Skills and the Laboratory of Technological Innovation of Centro Universitário Unichristus. Corresponding author: Luís Pires de Melo Filho (luisfilho4@hotmail.com).[1] |
Tissues
| Tissue | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelvis | 1 | 3D-printed male pelvis (Blender 2.79 model from the TurboSquid Male Pelvis Section reference; filament not specified in the source) | — | Painted in anatomy-book colours; the painted detail renders the Stage-2 structures (inferior epigastric and gonadal vessels, vas deferens). A sphere-shaped Boolean modifier cuts the inguinal hernia defect.[1] |
| Cooper's Ligament | 1 | Synthetic rubber | — | Fixed beside the hernial defect; firm enough to accept stapler tackers so the mesh can be fixed as in the real procedure. Enables Stage 4 (mesh placement and fixation).[1] |
| Peritoneum | 1 | Masking tape and Contact adhesive paper | — | Transparent overlay over the abdominal cavity, so the painted structures and the hernial sac stay visible. Enables Stage 1 (opening) and Stage 5 (closure).[1] |
| Hernia Sac | 1 | Latex glove | — | Inserted into the spheroidal hernial defect and adhered to the peritoneal overlay. Enables Stage 3 (hernia identification and reduction).[1] |
Structural Parts
| Part Name | Qty | Material | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic stapler/tacker | 1 | Commercial laparoscopic instrument | — | Fixes the mesh to the Cooper's-ligament substitute and the lateral pelvic wall; commercial, not built.[1] |
| Laparoscopic mesh | 1 per practice session | Commercial surgical mesh | — | Placed over the hernial defect during Stage 4; commercial, not built.[1] |
Build Instructions
Phase 1: Anatomical model design
- Obtain the "Male Pelvis Section" reference file from TurboSquid.[1]
- Open the reference file in Blender 2.79 on Windows 10.[1]
- Apply a sphere-shaped Boolean modifier with a difference operation to create the direct inguinal hernia defect in the pelvis model.[1]
Phase 2: 3D print and finish
- 3D-print the pelvis model. The source does not state the filament type or print parameters.[1]
- Paint the printed pelvis with two flat Condor brushes using gouache ink in anatomy-book colours to characterise the anatomical structures.[1]
Phase 3: Tissue substitutes
- Fix synthetic rubber very close to the hernial defect to simulate Cooper's ligament. The rubber must be firm enough for stapler tackers to fix the mesh as in the real procedure.[1]
- Cover the internal model surface corresponding to the abdominal cavity with masking tape, then with Contact adhesive paper, to represent the peritoneum. Keep the overlay transparent so the structures beneath remain visible.[1]
- Insert a latex glove into the spheroidal hernial defect to represent the hernial sac, and adhere it to the masking-tape and Contact-adhesive overlay.[1]
Phase 4: Reproduction
- After validating the master model, reproduce four similar copies using the same procedure for multi-station training.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 Pires de Melo Filho L, Mano Almeida A, Marçal de Barros Filho E, de Oliveira Borges GC. Simulated training model in a low cost for laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. Acta Cir Bras. 2021;36(1):e360108. doi:10.1590/ACB360108. CC BY 4.0.
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Simulators/Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernioplasty TAPP 3D Simulator (Pires de Melo Filho)". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |