Virtual reality simulator for training urologists on transurethral prostatectomy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available. The utility of virtual reality simulators in training of transurethral prostatectomy was investigated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-eight urologists were randomly selected to take part in a simulation based training of TURP using the TURPSim(TM) system. Pre and post-training global rate scale (GRS) scores and objective parameters recorded by the simulator were assessed. Then, questionnaires were filled out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with baseline levels, the GRS scores of trainees increased (18.0 ± 4.0 vs. 12.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.001), while the rate of capsule resection (26.3% ± 0.6% vs. 21.2% ± 0.4%, P < 0.001), amount of blood loss ((125.8 ± 86.3) ml vs. (83.7 ± 41.6) ml, P < 0.001), external sphincter injury (3.6 ± 2.9 vs. 2.0 ± 2.0, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after training. Most trainees were satisfied with the simulator based training and believed that the simulator accurately mimicked actual surgical procedures and could help improve their surgical skills.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>As a new method of training on transurethral prostatectomy skills, training of TURP using a virtual simulator can help urologists improve their surgical skills and safety. Therefore, the application of the TURPSim(TM) system in education and training of urologic surgery is warranted.</p>

Training for percutaneous renal access on a virtual reality simulator / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The need to develop new methods of surgical training combined with advances in computing has led to the development of virtual reality surgical simulators. The PERC Mentor(TM) is designed to train the user in percutaneous renal collecting system access puncture. This study aimed to validate the use of this kind of simulator, in percutaneous renal access training.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one urologists were enrolled as trainees to learn a fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal accessing technique. An assigned percutaneous renal access procedure was immediately performed on the PERC Mentor(TM) after watching instruction video and an analog operation. Objective parameters were recorded by the simulator and subjective global rating scale (GRS) score were determined. Simulation training followed and consisted of 2 hours daily training sessions for 2 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the training session, trainees were evaluated performing the same procedure. The post-training evaluation was compared to the evaluation of the initial attempt.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the initial attempt, none of the trainees could complete the appointed procedure due to the lack of experience in fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access. After the short-term training, all trainees were able to independently complete the procedure. Of the 21 trainees, 10 had primitive experience in ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Trainees were thus categorized into the group of primitive experience and inexperience. The total operating time and amount of contrast material used were significantly lower in the group of primitive experience versus the inexperience group (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The training on the virtual reality simulator, PERC Mentor(TM), can help trainees with no previous experience of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access to complete the virtual manipulation of the procedure independently. This virtual reality simulator may become an important training and evaluation tool in teaching fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access.</p>

Effectiveness of the UroMentor virtual reality simulator in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Virtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentor(TM) virtual reality simulator (VRS) in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Urologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy. Changes in total operating time, frequency of injury, number of digital markers inside the bladder, and the global rating scale (GRS) scores were assessed following eight repeated training sessions on the UroMentor(TM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eighteen urologists voluntarily took part in the study. Total operating time was significantly lower after eight sessions of training by comparison ((111 ± 10) seconds and (511 ± 67) seconds, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, the frequency of injury decreased with training from (12 ± 2) times to (5 ± 1) times (P < 0.001), while the number of digital markers observed increased from 9 ± 0 to 10 ± 1 (P = 0.005). Finally, training with the UroMentor(TM) resulted in a GRS increase from (1.3 ± 0.2) points to (3.9 ± 0.2) points (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>the VRS UroMentor(TM) can improve urologists' ability to perform flexible cystoscopy and could be used as an effective training tool for trainees.</p>

Screening for the serum differential proteins of renal cell carcinoma using magnetic beads-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen for the differential protein peaks of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using magnetic beads-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum proteins were profiled by magnetic beads (WCX) from 62 RCC patients and 37 patients with benign renal space-occupying lesions. Protein peaks were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Data were analyzed with Biomarker Wizard 3.1 and Biomarker Patterns Software 5.0. Diagnostic model for RCC was constructed based on 47 RCC cases and 26 patients with benign renal space-occupying lesions. The remaining 26 cases were evaluated with blind method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven differential protein peaks related to RCC were identified (Pβ0.05). The diagnostic model for RCC constructed by the differential protein peaks (m/z 2945.35, 15340.8, 6984.51, and 5819.23) generated excellent separation between the RCC and control groups, with a sensitivity of 83.0% and the specificity of 84.6%. As validated by blind method, the model had a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 81.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Differential protein peaks for RCC can be identified in serum by magnetic beads-based MALDI-TOF-MS, which is also valuable for the establishment of a RCC diagnostic model with a high sensitivity and specificity.</p>