A career exploration didactic and simulation-based session increases student knowledge in and exposure to urology.

INTRODUCTION: Though urology attracts well-qualified applicants, students are not typically provided exposure to this smaller specialty until later in their medical education. While simulation-based training continues to supplement medical education, there is a lack of programming to teach specialty-specific procedural skills to medical students and those outside the specialty. We report a half-day simulation and didactic-based approach to increase exposure to urology to interested second-year medical students. METHODS: A half-day didactic- and simulation-based session was offered to second-year medical students (N=57). After a didactic-based overview of the specialty performed by urology providers and a surgical educator, the students participated in small-group simulations, including hands-on simulations. The students completed a post-curriculum survey measuring knowledge gains and soliciting feedback on the session. RESULTS: Students were 57.1% Caucasian, 66.7% female, with a mean age of 24.2 years; 80% stated they were potentially interested in pursuing a surgical specialty such as urology prior to the start of the session. Students reported pre- to post-curriculum gains in knowledge (mean=37%) about a career in urology and basic urologic procedures (p<0.001). Participants were also likely to recommend the curriculum to their peers (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Given that exposure to urology in medical school is usually limited and offered later in training, a half-day didactic- and simulation-based experience for second-year students provides an early introduction and experience within the specialty and its common bedside procedures.

Postoperative events and complications of next-day stent removal following uncomplicated percutaneous nephrolithotomy compared to longer stenting.

INTRODUCTION: Options for renal drainage after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) vary and depend primarily on surgeon preference and case considerations. In our practice, patients traditionally returned one week postoperatively to remove the stents in the office via cystoscopy; however, following uncomplicated PCNL with no plans for second-look procedure, a ureteral stent on a tether is currently removed in tandem with the Foley catheter on postoperative day 1 (POD1) prior to patient discharge. This study compared the number of postoperative events between POD1 stent removal and their longer stented counterparts. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review on all patients who had undergone PCNL at our institution from January 1, 2020, to June 31, 2021. Patient demographics, operative metrics, and postoperative events (telephone calls, emergency department [ED ]/clinic visits, and complications) were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were included in final analysis: 46% (n=111) had their stent removed on POD1 and 54% (n=132) had longer indwelling stent times. Baseline demographics were similar between the two groups. Number of telephone calls (p=0.081), ED /clinic visits (p=0.093), and complications (p=0.647) were similar between groups. There were three (1.3%) unplanned second-look procedures: two (1.8%) in the POD1 stent removal group and one (0.8%, p=0.475) in the later stent removal group. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited, retrospective study, we did not detect a difference in postoperative events or short-term complications for POD1 vs. later stent removal after uncomplicated PCNL.