Effectiveness of Uromentor virtual reality simulator in flexible ureteroscopy training for catechumen

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Uromentor virtual reality simulator in flexible ureteroscopy training for catechumen. Methods Fifty-one catechumen were selected. After 1 hour training of basic operation in Uromentor virtual reality simulator, all trainees performed special-purpose exercise(kidney inspection with flexible ureteroscopy) for 3 hours. Using right kidney inspection, a preliminary assessment for each trainee was made before the special-purpose exercise and data such as total time, number of trauma from the scopes and tools, percentage of kidney surface examined and global rating scale (GRS) were recorded.The same assessment was performed once again after the special-purpose exercise (secondary assessment), and data were recorded and compared to the preliminary assessment. Results Each trainee made a significant improvement in flexible ureteroscopic skill after the special-purpose training. The parameters such as total time, number of trauma from the scopes and tools, percentage of kidney surface examined and GRS of all trainees in preliminary assessment were 14.63±1.01 min, 8.62±2.67, 51.05%±20.79% and 10.31±2.53, respectively; while in secondary assessment, parameters were 7.71±1.13 min, 1.67±1.23, 98.04%±5.42% and 29.14±3.01, respectively. The differences between the preliminary assessment and the secondary assessment of each parameter were significant (P<0.01). Conclusions The Uromentor virtual reality simulator can improve the trainee′s skills of flexible ureteroscopy. It is a good instrument of the flexible ureteroscopic training for catechumen. Key words: Virtual reality simulator; Flexible ureteroscopy; Training; Computer simulation