Role of virtual reality in improving the spatial perception of the kidney during flexible ureteroscopy: A feasibility study using virtual reality simulators and 3D models

Background The aims were to describe a software-based reconstruction of the patient-specific kidney cavity intraluminal appearance via a head-mounted device and to estimate its feasibility for training novices. Materials and methods In total, 15 novices were recruited. Each novice was shown a three-dimensional reconstruction of a patient's computed tomography scan, whose kidney was printed. They then joined the surgeon in the operating room and assisted them in detecting the stone during flexible ureteroscopy on the printed model. Then, each participant did a 7-day virtual reality (VR) study followed by virtual navigation of the printed kidney model and came to the operating room to help the surgeon with ureteroscope navigation. The length of the procedure and the number of attempts to find the targeted calyx were compared. Results With VR training, the length of the procedure (p = 0.0001) and the number of small calyces that were incorrectly identified as containing stones were significantly reduced (p = 0.0001). All the novices become highly motivated to improve their endourological skills further. Participants noticed minimal values for nausea and for disorientation. However, oculomotor-related side effects were defined as significant. Five specialists noticed a good similarity between the VR kidney cavity representation and the real picture, strengthening the potential for the novice's education via VR training. Conclusions Virtual reality simulation allowed for improved spatial orientation within the kidney cavity by the novices and could be a valuable option for future endourological training and curricula.