Ureteroscopy and cystoscopy simulation in urology

Transformations of many aspects of surgery have provided a potentially fertile ground for the implementation of surgical simulators in the medical mainstream. The expansion of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, increasing healthcare demands, fiscal constraints, and sensitivity to medicolegal considerations limit resident instruction and practical experience in the operating room. Furthermore, the need for objective, structured assessments of surgical residents during training and the requirement for physicians to gain and maintain certification demand that innovative solutions be sought. Surgical simulators are poised to deliver broad-based training experiences to trainees of all levels. In urology, simulation has been centered on endourologic procedures, namely ureteroscopy and cystoscopy. In this paper, various models of simulation developed for ureteroscopy and cystoscopy in urology are reviewed, with a brief description of each model, its benefits and disadvantages, and current research surrounding each simulation model.