
Anatomic Module: Vesicourethral Anastomosis
On this page:
- Supplies and Setup
- Instructions and Objectives
- Scoring Rubric
- Scorecard
Supplies and Setup
Supplies
- Suture board material (we use the Sim*Vivo suture material(link is external and opens in a new window))
- Marking pen
- 24Fr Foley catheter
- Standard dish sponge
- Clipboard
- Thick non-absorbable suture (we use 2-0 nylon)
- Anastomosis suture (we use 2 4-0 monofilament absorbable sutures)
- Paper cup
- Scissors
Set up
- Cut a 1cm diameter hole in your suture material. This will be the transected bladder neck.
- Using your marking pen, mark your bilateral ureteral orifices (UOs) about 1cm diagonally away from your bladder neck in each direction.
- Fold your suture material in half and clip it into the clipboard with your bladder neck facing away from the clip and the UOs on the bottom side.
- Cut the end off of a 24Fr Foley catheter. This will be the transected urethra.
- Moisten your sponge and wrap it lengthwise around the catheter. Use your nonabsorbable suture to keep the sponge in place. This will be the periurethral tissue.
- Punch out the bottom of your paper cup. Cut off the top half of the rim of the cup as well. This will be the bony pelvis.
- Secure the pelvis and urethra to your clipboard using 2 rubber bands. This should be positioned such that the cut end of the urethra comes into contact with the bladder neck when the bladder neck is on a very mild amount of stretch.
- Prepare your anastomosis suture(s) as you like. We cut two sutures to 6-inch pieces and tie them together at their tails.
Objectives
Scoring Rubric
We use a modified version of the "RACE Criteria(link is external and opens in a new window)." Ideally, an expert surgeon will do the grading, but you can also grade yourself.
Did the gamer complete the anastomosis model in the allotted time (20 min)?
- Yes (20 points)
- No: approximated all tissue but did not tie the suture completely (16 points)
- No: completed the posterior half but NOT the anterior (8 points)
- No: completed NEITHER the anterior NOR the posterior half (0 points)
Score needle positioning (1-5 points)

Score needle entry (1-5 points)

Score needle driving/tissue trauma (1-5 points)

Score suture placement (1-5 points)

Score tissue approximation (1-5 points)

Score knot tying (1-5 points)

Calculate Your Score
Related
Contact the GAMERS team
Questions? Suggestions? We want to hear from you. You can also follow us on X at @GamersSurgery(link is external and opens in a new window).