Virtual reality ureteroscopy simulator as a valid tool for assessing endourological skills

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) simulators are emerging as valuable tools for surgical skills training.
• The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator presents a novel approach to assessing and teaching urological technical skills.
• This technology may reduce reliance on operating room time for resident training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator using established assessment tools.
• To compare resident performance on the VR simulator with a high-fidelity ureteroscopy bench model.
• To evaluate the simulator's utility in assessing endourological skills.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen urology residents performed cystoscopy, guidewire insertion, ureteroscopy, and stone extraction on the VR simulator.
• Performance was assessed by a blinded examiner using checklists, global rating scales, and pass/fail metrics.
• Computer-generated data (task completion time, trauma, guidewire attempts) were analyzed and compared to a ureteroscopy bench model.

Main Results:

• Senior residents outperformed junior residents on the global rating scale, checklist, and pass/fail metrics, completing tasks faster and with less scope trauma.
• No significant differences were found in instrument trauma or guidewire insertion attempts between resident groups.
• Performance on the VR simulator, measured by global rating scale and task completion time, showed strong correlation with the ureteroscopy bench model.

Conclusions:

• The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator is an effective tool for assessing resident endourological skills.
• Performance on the VR simulator is comparable to a validated high-fidelity ureteroscopy bench model.
• Further research is warranted to explore the broader utility of VR simulators in surgical education.