A Comparative Analysis of Cadaveric Models as Training Tools for Ultrasound-Guided Kidney Biopsies

Purpose: The growing prevalence of ultrasound-guided procedures underlines the need for safe and effective training methodologies tailored to these techniques. Kidney biopsies are considered safe but have a risk of bleeding complications. Because of this, increased training specific to this procedure could improve patient outcomes. This study aims to examine the efficacy of utilizing cadavers as training tools for ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies to suggest their use in the instruction of other procedures for trainees.

Methods/Materials: Procedural training workshops were held using cadavers preserved through
three distinct methods: traditional embalming, long-term preservation (LTP), and
surgical reality (Thiel). 1st and 2nd year medical students were recruited by email and instructed on kidney anatomy and the steps of performing ultrasound-guided renal core biopsies by an interventional radiologist. The biopsy samples were examined with a glomeruli count to determine procedural accuracy and compared to determine which preservation had more accurate biopsies. Participants also answered pre- and post-workshop surveys to determine confidence in performing the procedure after this training method.

Results: Participants were successfully performed ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies with minimal assistance. At the first workshop, 83% of participants said they agree to an increase in procedural confidence after the workshop with a mean of 4.35 ± .70 (Rating scale: 5-Strongly agree; 4-Agree; 3-Neither Agree or Disagree; 2-Disagree; 1-Strongly Disagree). Furthermore, 83% of participants said they agree they would recommend the workshop with a mean of 4.24 ± .66. In preliminary data from 17 participants, the mean glomeruli count for traditional cadavers was 8.94 ± 6.51 and 12.06 ± 12.86 for Thiel cadavers (awaiting further data collection).

Conclusions: This study hopes to highlight the increased procedural confidence this high-fidelity training method can provide to medical trainees potentially leading to improved procedural skill. With incoming data for each preservation method, this study will also hope to suggest the cadaver preservation with optimal ultrasound visualization and tissue consistency for this purpose.