The non-biological simulator with the ability to regulate the position of the kidney and bone landmarks: use for training puncture access in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy

Abstract

Introduction. The non-biological simulators presented in the literature are far from the real human anatomy and are primarily aimed at developing the skill of the pyelocalyceal system (PCS) puncture without the possibility of imitating various intraoperative scenarios.Purpose of the study. To describe the manufacturing and initial testing of the ultrasound-guided PCS puncture simulator with arbitrary placement of bone landmarks and a kidney model, along with the use of a retrograde view during PCS puncture.Materials and methods. This study included training for 5 resident and 2 urologists. Each participant performed the puncture 5 times using an 18-gauge ultrasound-guided needle. A comparison was made between the number of attempts to form access, the duration of the puncture and its correctness (puncture into the small calyx through the papilla), as well as the correctness of determining the target calyx. The trajectory of the needle was retrogradely assessed using a semi-rigid ureteroscope, and the anatomical identification of the selected calyx was assessed using our mobile application.Results. The total number of attempts was 49 and 14 among residents and urologists, respectively. The average duration of the puncture step was 25.2 and 12.0 seconds. In 9/25 cases, residents were able to correctly analyze visual ultrasound information to determine the target calyx. When a contrast agent was injected into the PCS after 63 punctures, no contrast leakage was found.Conclusion. The proposed PCS puncture simulator allows to develop to develop all the necessary skills for cost-effective training of young urologists in the technique of percutaneous access.