**5. Animal model and training**

Animal model training in robotics, prior to human application, is effective. Most of all robotic surgeries were initially tested in an animal model. Sung et al. [9] in 1995 performed a porcine robotic pyeloplasty. As the learning curve associated with surgical robotic use is unknown, a safe and modular training programme in an animal model would result in measurable improvement in robotic surgical skills.

Robotic (ZEUS; Computer Motion) and laparoscopic instrument learning curves were compared within inanimate models and showed a greater learning curve with robotics [10]. Another animal study showed that multiple surgical disciplines in a "near hospital operating room" environment with same-member healthcare teams improved their average set-up times by 30%, each time they prepared the robot [11]. In addition, the console operators improved their operation times by over 20% each time they practiced. They showed that in-house training saved them significant monies (approximately \$52,895) and improved operative and set-up times by 40–50%.
