Training in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

With limited time for training, simulation is becoming an essential element of modern surgical training to establish procedural competency. Whilst training tools and assessment methods are well-established in other urological procedures, there is a paucity of research and well-validated models for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) training. Various bench models as well as a select number of wet-lab and virtual reality models exist. Additionally, assessment tools are being developed for objective assessment of surgical competency in PCNL; however, these are in their infancy. It is recommended that urological trainees undergo training in PCNL in a modular fashion comprising progression from virtual reality models and bench models to wet-lab and cadaveric training, before moving on to modular operating room training and mastery of the procedure.