International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Challenge of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with spinal neuropathy.
To assess the technical difficulties, associated complications and stone clearance rates in patients with spinal neuropathy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy. ⋯ Patients with spinal neuropathy and renal lithiasis pose a significant operative challenge. Technical difficulties and potential complications should be considered carefully before undertaking percutaneous nephrolithotomy in these patients.
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Comparative Study
Virtual reality ureteroscopy simulator as a valid tool for assessing endourological skills.
Virtual reality (VR) simulators are now commercially available for various surgical skills training. The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator by Symbionix is one system that may revolutionize the way we assess and teach surgical residents. Surgical educators may no longer have to depend on the operating room as the sole venue for teaching residents technical skills. We validated performance on this new system with previously developed assessment tools and compared it to performance on a high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model. ⋯ The Uro Mentor VR Ureteroscopy Simulator is a useful tool in assessing resident endourological skills. Performance on the VR simulator is comparable to a validated high fidelity ureteroscopy bench model. Future studies will assess the utility of VR simulators in surgical skills training.