A Randomized Prospective Blinded Study Validating Acquistion of Ureteroscopy Skills Using A Computer Based Virtual Reality Endourological Simulator

Abstract

No AccessJournal of UrologyCLINICAL UROLOGY: Original Articles1 Nov 2002A Randomized Prospective Blinded Study Validating Acquistion of Ureteroscopy Skills Using A Computer Based Virtual Reality Endourological Simulator JAMES D. WATTERSON, DARREN T. BEIKO, JAMES K. KUAN, and JOHN D. DENSTEDT JAMES D. WATTERSONJAMES D. WATTERSON , DARREN T. BEIKODARREN T. BEIKO , JAMES K. KUANJAMES K. KUAN , and JOHN D. DENSTEDTJOHN D. DENSTEDT View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-5347(05)64265-6AboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract Purpose: Surgical simulation has emerged in the last decade as a potential tool for aiding acquisition of technical skills, including anesthesia protocols, trauma management, cardiac catheterization and laparoscopy. We evaluate and validate the use of a computer based ureteroscopy simulator (URO Mentor, Simbionix Ltd., Lod, Israel) in the acquisition of basic ureteroscopic skills. Materials and Methods: We assessed 20 novice trainees for the ability to perform basic ureteroscopic tasks on a computer based ureteroscopy simulator. Participants were randomized to receive individualized mentored instruction or no additional training, and subsequently underwent post-testing. Pre-training and post-training improvement in performance was assessed by objective simulator based measurements. Subjective overall performance was rated using a validated endourological global rating scale by an observer blinded to subject training status. Results: Demographics and pre-test scores were similar between groups. Post-testing revealed a significant effect of training on objective and subjective measurements. Spearman rank correlation demonstrated a significant association between objective simulator based measurements and the endourological global rating scale. Conclusions: Use of a computer based ureteroscopy simulator resulted in rapid acquisition of ureteroscopic skills in trainees with no prior surgical training. Results of this study demonstrate the use of a virtual reality ureteroscopy simulator in endourological training. Correlation of simulator based measurements with a previously validated endourological global rating scale provides initial validation of the ureteroscopy simulator for the assessment of ureteroscopic skills. References 1 : Anaesthetic simulators: training for the broader health-care profession. Aust N Z J Surg2000; 70: 735. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar 2 : Use of a human patient simulator in the development of resident trauma management skills. J Trauma2001; 51: 17. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar 3 : The virtual reality arthroscopy training simulator. Stud Health Technol Inform1998; 50: 13. Medline, Google Scholar 4 : Learning rate for laparoscopic surgical skills on MIST VR, a virtual reality simulator: quality of human-computer interface. Ann R Coll Surg Engl1999; 81: 281. Medline, Google Scholar 5 : Virtual reality surgical simulation in endoscopic urologic surgery. Stud Health Technol Inform1996; 29: 157. Medline, Google Scholar 6 : The URO Mentor: development and evaluation of a new computer-based interactive training system for virtual life-like simulation of diagnostic and therapeutic endourological procedures. BJU Int2002; 89: 174. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar 7 : A novel approach to endourological training: training at the Surgical Skills Center. J Urol2001; 166: 1261. Link, Google Scholar 8 : An interactive graphics-based model of the lower extremity to study orthopaedic surgical procedures. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng1990; 37: 757. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar 9 : A computer generated interactive transurethral prostatic resection simulator. J Urol1999; 162: 1633. Link, Google Scholar 10 : The 'HysteroTrainer'—an in vitro simulator for hysteroscopy and falloposcopy. Experimental and clinical background and technical realisation including the development of organ modules fo