Assessment of Ablation Rates with Artificial Urinary Stones Appropriate for Simulation Training

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Artificial urinary calculi are an essential tool for research and training in endourology. The goal of the study was to evaluate different types of artificial stones and how they behave to laser treatment, to finally determine which is the optimal one for training purposes. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> The stones were produced with a mix of Bego Stone powder and water, at mixing rates of 15:03, 15:04, and 15:06. They were evaluated in an <i>in vitro</i> experimental setting using the Quanta Cyber 150 W high-power laser lithotripter. Dusting was set to 0.5 J × 20 Hz = 10 W and fragmentation was set to 0.8 J × 8 Hz = 6.4 W. Stone weights were assessed in dry and wet conditions. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The ablation rates in the dusting modality were similar for the three stone types tested. In the fragmentation mode, the mean ablation rate for 15:04 artificial stones was greater than those of 15:03 and 15:06 stones. Overall, the mean weight difference between the wet and dry stones was 0.03 g. Consequently, within the stone types tested, 15:04 artificial are probably the most convenient ones for training purposes because they get disintegrated similarly to 15:03 and 15:06 Bego Stones on a dusting setting, and ablation is faster on a fragmentation setting. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The 15:04 Bego Stones may be considered as the optimal option for use in simulation training models of the endourological education programs.