Three-dimensionally printed non-biological simulator for percutaneous nephrolithotomy training
Stanislav Ali, Evgenii Sirota, Hussein Ali, Evgenii Bezrukov, Zhamshid Okhunov, Mikhail Bukatov, Alexandr Letunovskiy, Nikolai Grygoriev, Mark Taratkin, Stanislav Vovdenko, Andyshea Afyouni, Yuri Alyaev
Abstract
Objective: We sought to improve the educational and pre-operative training on various stages of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) under fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. We developed a three-dimensional (3D) printed simulator (3D-printed PCNL model) for urological trainees.Methods: 40 s year urology residents were randomly assigned into two groups, completing PCNL surgical steps on a URO Mentor™ surgical simulator (Group A) or on our new 3D-printed PCNL model (Group B). Following the training, both groups completed a standardized questionnaire (Likert scale from 0 to 10) which we used to asses the learning curve associated with PCNL training.Results: The mean score of Group A was 65.2/80 while Group B was 76.1/80. Mann-Whitney U-test showed no significant difference between the groups (U = 16, p < 0.05).Conclusion: The 3D-printed PCNL model developed is a novel and highly effective tool that can facilitate enhanced endourological education and personalized pre-operative planning for urolithiasis cases. According to the criteria tested, residents who used our 3D-printed PCNL models performed better under all metrics.