Assessment of basic endoscopic performance using a virtual reality simulator (original) (raw)

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supervised training using a state-of-theart virtual reality (VR) genitourinary endoscopy simulator on the basic endoscopic skills of novice endoscopists. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 21 medical students performing an initial VR case scenario (pretest) requiring rigid cystoscopy, flexible ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, and basket retrieval of a proximal ureteral stone. All students were evaluated with objective parameters assessed by the VR simulator and by two experienced evaluators using a global rating scale. Students were then randomized to a control group receiving no further training or a training group, which received five supervised training sessions using the VR simulator. All students were then evaluated again in the same manner using the same case scenario (posttest).