To create and assess the validity of a high-fidelity, 3D-printed, flexible ureteroscopy simulator resulting from a real case.
A patient’s CT scan was segmented to obtain a 3D model in .stl format, including the urinary bladder, ureter and renal cavities. The file was printed and a kidney stone was introduced into the cavities. The simulated surgery consisted of monobloc stone extraction. Nineteen participants split into three groups according to their level (six medical students, seven residents and six urology fellows) performed the procedure twice at a one-month interval. They were rated according to a global score and a task-specific score, based on an anonymized, timed video recording.
Participants demonstrated a significant improvement between the two assessments, both on the global score (29.4 vs. 21.9 points out of 35; p<0.001) and the task-specific score (17.7 vs. 14.7 points out of 20; p<0.001) as well as procedure time (498.5 vs. 700 seconds; p=0.001). Medical students showed the greatest progress for the global score (+15.5 points (mean), p=0.001) and the task-specific score (+6.5 points (mean), p<0.001). 69.2% of participants considered the model as visually quite realistic or highly realistic and all of them judged it quite or extremely interesting for intern training purposes.
Our 3D printed ureteroscopy simulator was able to enhance the progress of medical students who are new to endoscopy, whilst being valid and reasonably priced. It could become part of a training program in urology, in line with the latest recommendations for surgical education.

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.