Description and validation of realistic and structured endourology training model.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to validate a model of training, which combines the use of non-biological and ex vivo biological bench models, as well as the modelling of urological injuries for endourological treatment in a porcine animal model.


METHODS
A total of 40 participants took part in this study. The duration of the activity was 16 hours. The model of training was divided into 3 levels: level I, concerning the acquisition of basic theoretical knowledge; level II, involving practice with the bench models and level III, concerning practice in the porcine animal model. First, trainees practiced with animals without using a model of injured (ureteroscopy, management of guide wires and catheters under fluoroscopic control) and later practiced in lithiasic animal model. During the activity, an evaluation of the face and content validity was conducted, as well as constructive validation provided by the trainees versus experts. Evolution of the variables during the course within each group was analysed using the Student's t test for paired samples, while comparisons between groups, were performed using the Student's t test for unpaired samples.


RESULTS
The assessments of face and content validity were satisfactory. The constructive validation, "within one trainee" shows that were statistical significant differences between the first time the trainees performed the tasks in the animal model and the last time, mainly in the knowledge of procedure and Holmium laser lithotripsy cathegories. At the beginning of level III, there are also statistical significant differences between trainee's scores and the expert's scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This realistic Endourology training model allows the acquisition of knowledge and technical and non-technical skills as evidenced by the face, content and constructive validity. Structured use of bench models (biological and non biological) and animal model simulators increase the endourological basic skills.
Department of Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Jesús Usón Cáceres, Spain.
Federico
F
Soria
Department of Endoscopy, Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Jesús Usón Cáceres, Spain.
Esther
E
Morcillo
Department of Urology, Guadalajara University Hospital Madrid, Spain.
Juan Luis
JL
Sanz
Department of Urology, La Fe University Hospital Valencia, Spain.
Alberto
A
Budia
Department of Urology, Guadalajara University Hospital Madrid, Spain.
Alvaro
A
Serrano
Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre Jesús Usón Cáceres, Spain.
Francisco M
FM
Sanchez-Margallo
Endourology; animal model; bench model; training; validation