New Advanced Bench Model for Flexible Ureteroscopic Training: The Smart Simulator.

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Urology Training
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) is a key procedure for treating kidney stones.
• Current bench training models for fURS may lack realism, hindering skill acquisition.
• There is a need for advanced simulators that closely mimic the clinical environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Smart Simulator, a novel training model for flexible ureteroscopy (fURS).
• To assess the face and content validity of the Smart Simulator among experienced urologists.
• To determine the potential of the Smart Simulator in improving technical skills for fURS procedures.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Smart Simulator featuring portability, simulated kidney movements, and realistic anatomical models.
• Assessment of the simulator by sixteen experienced urologists focusing on realism, acceptability, and feasibility.
• Evaluation of the simulator's utility for practicing laser manipulation and stone retrieval in simulated fURS conditions.

Main Results:

• The Smart Simulator was found to be acceptable in terms of realism, acceptability, and feasibility.
• The model successfully simulates human pyelocalices and kidney movements, closely resembling a clinical fURS setting.
• Urologists found the simulator effective for practicing laser manipulation for kidney stone fragmentation and retrieval.

Conclusions:

• The Smart Simulator offers a realistic and feasible bench training solution for flexible ureteroscopy (fURS).
• Its ability to simulate key intraoperative challenges, such as kidney movement, enhances training value.
• Practice with this advanced simulator may lead to improved technical skills for urologists performing fURS.