Intended to provide an alternative platform for shortening the learning curve involved with these procedures, in a risk-free environment, before proceeding to the clinical setting.

Cleveland, OH, USA: Simbionix USA Corporation, the world's leading provider of medical education and simulation technology, is happy to announce the release of their new Laparoscopic Nephrectomy module for the LAP Mentor simulator.

Hands-on practice of this complex module will be available at the SAGES Annual Meeting between March 30 – April 2, 2011, at Simbionix booth #240 and in the Learning Center.

It has been estimated to take surgeons approximately 15 laparoscopic nephrectomy cases to become proficient with this procedure.

The nephrectomy complete procedure module is intended to provide an alternative platform for shortening the learning curve involved with these procedures, in a risk-free environment, before proceeding to the clinical setting.

The module has been designed to accommodate various procedure techniques, allowing trainees to choose their preferred method of action.

"We are very excited to add the complex nephrectomy training module to our LAP Mentor's ever-growing library of modules," said Mr.

Ran Bronstein, Simbionix President.

"The true-to-life virtual reality simulation of this highly advanced procedure is a breakthrough in simulation technology, providing an environment abundant in anatomy layers which interact smoothly with one another to simulate one continuous procedure.

Simbionix continuously overcomes technological challenges to provide the best training tools for the medical community."