Three-dimensionally printed non-biological simulator for percutaneous nephrolithotomy training.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) requires specialized training.
• Current training methods may lack sufficient pre-operative planning tools.
• Improving educational models for PCNL is crucial for resident skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel three-dimensional (3D) printed simulator for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) training.
• To assess the effectiveness of the 3D-printed PCNL model in improving urological residents' educational and pre-operative training.
• To compare the learning curve of PCNL training using the 3D-printed model versus a virtual reality simulator.

Main Methods:

• Development of a 3D-printed PCNL model.
• Random assignment of 40 urology residents into two groups: virtual simulator (Group A) and 3D-printed model (Group B).
• Assessment of training effectiveness using a standardized questionnaire (Likert scale) to evaluate the learning curve.

Main Results:

• Residents trained with the 3D-printed PCNL model (Group B) achieved a higher mean score (76.1/80) compared to the virtual simulator group (Group A, 65.2/80).
• Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference between the groups (U=16, p<0.05), suggesting comparable learning outcomes.
• Residents using the 3D-printed models performed better across all tested metrics.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D-printed PCNL model is an effective tool for enhancing endourological education.
• This novel simulator facilitates personalized pre-operative planning for urolithiasis cases.
• The 3D-printed model offers a valuable alternative for urological training and skill acquisition in PCNL.