Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study

Dong Seok Lee; Gin Hyug Lee; Sang Gyun Kim; Kook Lae Lee; Ji Won Kim; Ji Bong Jeong; Yong Jin Jung; Hyoun Woo Kang

doi:10.5946/ce.2022.163

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Original Article Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study: Dong Seok Lee^1,5, Gin Hyug Lee^2,, Sang Gyun Kim^3,, Kook Lae Lee⁴, Ji Won Kim⁴, Ji Bong Jeong⁴, Yong Jin Jung⁴, Hyoun Woo Kang⁴; Clinical Endoscopy 2023;56(5):604-612.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.163
Published online: May 18, 2023

¹Department of Gastroenterology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea

²Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

³Department of Gastroenterology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

⁴Department of Gastroenterology, SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

⁵Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Gin Hyug Lee Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea E-mail: jhlee409@amc.seoul.kr

Correspondence: Sang Gyun Kim Department of Gastroenterology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea E-mail: harley@snu.ac.kr

• Received: June 5, 2022 • Revised: December 27, 2022 • Accepted: January 3, 2023

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Abstract
Graphic abstract
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
NOTES
REFERENCES

See letter "There is no royal road: a shortcut for endoscopic submucosal dissection training" in Volume 56 on page 590.

Abstract

Background/Aims
We developed a new endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulator and evaluated its efficacy and realism for use training endoscopists.
Methods
An ESD simulator was constructed using polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel sheets and compared to a previous ESD simulator. Between March 1, 2020, and December 30, 2021, eight expert endoscopists from three different centers analyzed the procedure-related factors of the simulator. Five trainees performed gastric ESD exercises under the guidance of these experts.
Results
Although the two ESD simulators provided overall favorable outcomes in terms of ESD-related factors, the new simulator had several benefits, including better marking of the target lesion’s limits (p<0.001) and overall handling (p<0.001). Trainees tested the usefulness of the new ESD simulator. The complete resection rate improved after 3 ESD training sessions (9 procedures), and the perforation rate decreased after 4 sessions (12 procedures).
Conclusions
We have developed a new ESD simulator that can help beginners achieve a high level of technical experience before performing real-time ESD procedures in patients.
Keywords: Endoscopic submucosal dissection; Endoscopy; Hydrogels; Polyvinyl alcohol; Simulation training

Graphic abstract

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a procedure used to treat early gastric cancer and is currently widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including early gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, and colon cancer.¹^-⁵ ESD has a lower medical cost, complication rate, and recovery time than surgery. However, a great deal of experience is required to acquire a high skill level and the associated risk of procedure-related complications is high. The complications and prognosis of patients depend on the expertise and precision of the operator.⁶^,⁷

ESD was developed in Japan. Most of the training process is based on the “Master-Apprentice process,” in which trainees receive one-on-one, step-by-step training under the guidance of an expert. Nonetheless, this process has a disadvantage in that it is only possible in regions where ESD is actively implemented.

Currently, several tools including textbooks, online video media, simulators, and hands-on sessions are used for self-ESD training outside Japan. These tools are helpful for learning about ESD procedures, although they have limitations. For example, aspects such as delicate endoscopic handling, injection, circumferential cutting, submucosal dissection, and handling of adverse events, such as bleeding and perforations, are more difficult to learn using these tools.⁸^,⁹

In the past, animal models, such as ex vivo and in vivo porcine models, were commonly used to improve endoscopic handling; however, these methods also have several limitations.¹⁰^,¹¹ First, the preparation of animal models is expensive. Second, ESD training is only possible in animal operating rooms. Third, pigs have a thick stomach wall that contains a high volume of oil compared to that of humans; this makes it difficult for beginners to perform ESD. Fourth, additional training is impossible if perforation occurs while performing ESD on a live pig. Fifth, ethical concerns and restrictions regarding reusability are inherent to this method. To overcome these limitations, an ESD simulator using artificial tissue was introduced, although lifting the submucosal layer is impossible with this method.¹²

Recently, a new artificial ESD simulator, Endogel (Sunarrow, Tokyo, Japan), was developed for ESD/peroral endoscopic myotomy training.¹⁰^,¹³ Endogel is a composite plate laminated with three types of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) sheets. Different types of PVA-H sheets with different elasticities can be laminated together to mimic the mucosa and submucosa; these can then be used in simulated procedures, such as mucosal incision, submucosal dissection, and muscle layer myotomy.¹³ There are no restrictions on where ESD can be administered. However, Endogel does have some limitations. First, it is quite expensive and is unavailable in some countries. Second, because the target lesion can’t be adjusted, the trainee can’t practice gastric ESD with the lesions in various locations. In this study, a new ESD simulator was developed and evaluated for its use by beginners for achieving a high level of technical experience before performing the procedure in patients.

METHODS

Participants

Thirteen endoscopists (eight experts and five ESD trainees) participated in this evaluation of the ESD simulator from March 1, 2020 to December 30, 2021, at SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, and Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The expert members from the staff of the three hospitals had experience performing ESD in over 500 human cases and 10 live pig cases. The five ESD trainees were endoscopists with experience performing over 2,000 cases of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 500 cases of colonoscopy. The new ESD simulator was developed at Asan Medical Center, although the final evaluation was performed at SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center to avoid subjectivity of the evaluation.

New gastric ESD simulator

The new PVA-H-based ESD simulator was developed by an experienced endoscopist at the Asan Medical Center. This new simulator is composed of three units: the esophagus unit for endoscopic insertion, the gastric wall unit for injection and cutting, and the electric unit for radiofrequency current conduction and return function (Fig. 1). The esophagus unit is produced using stereolithography three-dimensional printing (OMG SLA 660 3D printer; Xiamen Zhisen Electro. Equip.) and a silicone molding technique (EchoFlex 0030; Smooth-On Inc.).¹⁴ The gastric wall unit is produced using a three-layered PVA-H (PVA 98–98.8% hydrolyzed, MW 146,000–186,000; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.) sheet. All materials used in the gastric wall units were edible grade or harmless to the human body. The gastric wall unit was 17×12×1.7 cm in size and composed of a three-layered PVA-H sheet. The first, second, and third layers were the mucosal, submucosal, and proper muscle layers, respectively. The PVA-H layers were polymerized by one to two freeze–thaw cycles. The final properties of the materials and thickness of each layer were optimized based on the thickness of the mucosal layer and incision of the submucosal layer. The electric unit had dual electrodes (KODE plate; KODE Medical Ind.) connected to the gastric wall unit that conducted the electric current (Fig. 1).

Outcome measures

Two ESD simulators, an existing simulator (Endogel) and a new simulator (Asan ESD simulator; Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea), were evaluated for their performance by experts (Figs. 1, 2). The primary outcome was suitability for ESD training, which was measured by an expert group comprising staff from three different hospitals. After using the ESD simulator, the expert group evaluated it with a score table using a 7-point Likert scale (Table 1). The highest score reflected greater realism compared to the human gastric ESD. For example, a 7-point Likert scale for agreement will include as the following options: strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat disagree, either agree or disagree, somewhat agree, agree, and strongly disagree (1=strongly disagree; 2=disagree; 3=somewhat disagree; 4=either agree or disagree; 5=somewhat agree; 6=agree; 7=strongly agree). The score table covered the following topics: (1) ESD of the target lesion, (2) limitations, (3) complications, and (4) mechanical and electrical performance (Table 1). “Marking” means circumscribe the limits of the target lesion using a dual knife (KD-655Q; Olympus). “Submucosal injection” refers to the injection of fluid into the submucosal layer around a lesion to separate it from the muscle layer. “Mucosal incision” means cutting the mucosa surrounding the lesion using a dual knife and an IT knife (KD-611L; Olympus) to obtain a circumferential incision with submucosal exposure. “Submucosal dissection” refers to cutting of the submucosal layer. “Complete resection” means the resection of target lesion without tearing. Piecemeal resection does not include “complete resection”. “Visibility after submucosal injection” refers to the submucosal layer under the dissected mucosal layer. “Curling of the dissected lesion” refers to the curled mucosal lesion after submucosal dissection. “Perforation occurred in ESD” indicates perforation similar to that which occurs during ESD. “Sufficient size for ESD training” means the test area for ESD training; the larger the size of the PVA-H, the greater the opportunities for gastric ESD being implemented by trainees. “Connectivity of the electrosurgical unit (ESU)” means the electric current from the ESU to the target area. “Realism of wall layer” refers to the suitability of the construction of the simulator’s layers. The names of each layer are shown in Fig 1. A-3. Both simulators consisted of four layers; cutting of the third layer and exposure of the fourth layer (the serosa layer) was regarded as a perforation. Hence, when the sky-blue sponge was visible, it is considered a perforation.

The secondary outcomes were the learning curves when using the new ESD simulator, which were measured by the trainee group in the following aspects: (1) complete resection and (2) perforation, where “complete resection” meant removal of the target lesion completely without tearing, and “perforation” meant the exposed muscle layer. Each trainee attempted ESD three times per session, for a total of five sessions. The results of three successful trails per session were recorded for each trainee. The total number of complete resections and perforations per session was recorded.

Details of the device setting

We used a standard single-channel endoscope (GIF-H290; Olympus), IT knife 2, electrosurgical unit (ERBE VIO 300D; Erbe), dual knife, soft transparent hood (D-201-13404; Olympus), and submucosal injection with normal saline and indigo carmine. ESD was performed by attaching a cap (Olympus) to the end of the endoscope.

The PVA-H was refrigerated with plastic wrap before use, as it is prone to dehydration and shrinkage in open air. The target lesions were 2-cm circular lesions, and a maximum of nine lesions could be made on the PVA-H sheet. The ESU settings were as follows: monopolar, Endocut Q (max 770 Vp) with effect 1, duration 3 (10 ms), and interval 3 (720 ms).

ESD procedure

ESD involved the following steps: marking, injecting fluid, cutting the surrounding mucosa, injecting additional fluid, and dissecting the submucosal layer. A dual knife was used for marking the limits of the lesion, approximately 5 mm from the lesion itself. An injection needle (NeedleMaster; Olympus) was used to inject fluid to separate the target lesion from the muscle layer. An IT knife 2 and a dual knife were used for circumferential incision of the mucosal lesion and submucosal dissection.

ESD requires an in-depth understanding of endoscopic evaluation of lesions and high-level endoscopic skills. In this study, experts provided training for the operation, precautions related to the procedure, and demonstrated the correct usage of the ESD simulator before trainees used the equipment and procedure and gave feedback to the trainees both during and after every session. First, ESD trainees were exposed to ESD-related books and video media. While observing the procedures performed by experts, they were educated on precautions and equipment usage. The ESD simulator practice was always followed with feedback from the expert relating to problems during the procedure. Overall, trainees were educated on the theory for one month, while the procedure was observed for three months; an additional month of training was required to complete five sessions. Three experts served as the primary educators.

Statistical analyses

Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS software ver. 26.0 (IBM Corp.). Continuous variables were reported as medians with interquartile ranges. A t-test was conducted to compare continuous variables between the two groups, and two-sided p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Ethical statements

The study protocol was approved by the SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center Institutional Review Board (IRB No: 07-2020-17). This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

RESULTS

ESD on target lesion

The expert group compared the suitability of the two (new and existing) ESD simulators (Fig. 2, Table 1). The both simulators provided favorable overall outcomes for procedure-related factors (Table 1). One expert performed ESD on three lesions per simulator (test sequence: new simulator then existing simulator). Compared to the existing simulator, the new simulator showed better scores for marking (6 [5–6] vs. 4 [3.8–4], p<0.001) and overall handling of the endoscope (5 [4.8–5] vs. 3 [2–3], p<0.001).

Nevertheless, the results regarding lifting of the submucosal layer (4.5 [4–5] vs. 4 [3.8–4], p=0.256) were not satisfactory. When the submucosal solution was excessively injected, the visibility was unsatisfactory (4 [4–5] vs. 4.5 [4–5], p=0.807) and the dissected lesion was not curled (3 [3–4] vs. 2.5 [2–3], p=0.005). As the PVA-H sheet does not curl, dissection was performed by lifting the dissected lesion with an endoscopic cap.

The mechanical performances of both simulators were also favorable. The sizes of the ESD sheets required by the simulators were suitable for practice (6 [5.8–6] vs. 5 [4–5], p=0.005). When the submucosal solution was not injected, it was possible to perform ESD on nine practice lesions; when the submucosal solution was injected, it was only possible to perform ESD on three lesions. There was no malfunction of the electrical device during any of the procedures. The three-layered PVA-H sheet was scored as having satisfactory quality for ESD practice (6 [5.8–6] vs. 5 [4.8–6], p=0.085). The ESU functioned well in terms of electrical connectivity (7 [7–7] vs. 7 [6.8–7], p=0.554).

The new simulator was able to access the lesion through the esophageal unit and change the location of the lesion. In cases of perforation, lesion detection and endoscopic clipping were also possible.

Learning curve of ESD training

The trainee group tested the new ESD simulator over five sessions. The submucosal injection procedure was minimized to reduce visual disturbance. To measure the learning curves, the successful complete resection and perforation rates were counted. The complete resection rate improved after 3 sessions (9 procedures), and the perforation rate decreased after 4 sessions (12 procedures) of ESD training (Fig. 3, Table 2).

DISCUSSION

We developed a new ESD simulator that is compatible with any endoscopic equipment. The ESD experts in our study approved its suitability for training and its potential to improve patient safety. The trainees’ ESD skill levels improved as the number of training sessions increased.

ESD is an effective treatment option for various gastrointestinal diseases. Nonetheless, a great deal of time and experience are required to minimize ESD-related complications, such as bleeding and perforation. Various ESD simulators have been introduced to provide ESD-related training. Live porcine models are the most commonly used, and have been shown to accelerate the learning curve for gastric ESD training.¹⁵ Nevertheless, there are many limitations with ESD training using porcine models. Recently, a PVA-H-based ESD simulator, Endogel, was introduced, and its demand has been increasing despite its limitations.¹³

The new PVA-H-based ESD simulator has the following merits. First, any conventional endoscopic equipment is fully compatible with it. Second, its esophageal unit is more effective for practicing gastric ESD. Third, because the target lesion can be adjusted, the trainee can practice gastric ESD with the lesions in various locations. Owing to the considerable width of the ESD sheet, the trainee can create multiple lesions and perform gastric ESD several times. Fourth, the gastric ESD process can be viewed directly as well as through a monitor, which can help improve the proficiency of the practitioner. Fifth, the process of mucosal lifting and cutting in the simulator closely resembled that in human gastric ESD. Sixth, the amount of foam generated from the PVA-H sheets does not interfere with the procedure. Seventh, there is no danger of electric circuit connections and shock problems related to operator safety for the trainee during ESD. Eighth, compared with Endogel, the new simulator is 50% cheaper and readily available in all countries. Ninth, compared to animal models and conventional simulators, the new gastric ESD simulator may be a favorable alternative due to its reasonable performance, greater availability, and lower price.

The PVA-H-based simulator has the following limitations. First, it can only simulate ESD with flat lesions. Second, upon excessive submucosal injection, the injected solution causes visual disturbance, making it difficult to dissect the incised lesion. Therefore, skipping submucosal injection is recommended. For ESDs involving submucosal injection, it is suitable for performing three ESDs. If submucosal injection is omitted, it becomes suitable for performing nine ESDs. Nine ESDs appeared to be appropriate for simple training purposes, but not for research use (Fig. 2D). In future multi-center studies, it would be beneficial to consider ESD for nine lesions to reduce costs. Third, because the PVA-H sheet contained moisture, it had to be sealed and refrigerated. Fourth, it was difficult to reuse the PVA-H sheets. Fifth, sufficient ventilation was required because of the fumes emitted by the dissection sheet. Sixth, as the PVA-H sheet is not curled like the gastric wall, a cap must be attached to the end of the endoscope during practice. Seventh, although ESD simulators can help beginners begin performing and become proficient with the procedure, their role is limited, as they cannot train beginners how to deal with complications such as bleeding and perforation, which can occur in actual clinical settings.

The results of the current study should be interpreted in light of some limitations. First, a selection bias could have been present because of the small number of participants. Second, it is difficult to practice ESD for lesions located on a curved surface using the ESD simulator, as the ESD sheet is only made with a flat surface. Third, there could be bias and subjectivity in the evaluation because the scoring system was constructed using questionnaires. However, various evaluation indices and expert evaluators from other centers were employed to compensate for these limitations. For future research, it would be beneficial to conduct a multi-center study.

In conclusions, the new ESD simulator has several advantages such as its improved realism and affordability. We believe that this new ESD simulator will help improve practitioners’ skills and ultimately improve patient safety and prognosis.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest.

Funding

None.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the staff at the SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center for their participation and for making this study possible.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: DSL, GHL, SGK; Data Curation: DSL, GHL, SGK; Formal Analysis: KLL, GHL, JBJ, YJJ, HWK; Methodology: DSL, GHL, SGK, JBJ, YHH; Supervision: GHL, SGK, JWK; Writing–original draft: DSL, GHL, SGK, JWK; Writing–review & editing: DSL, GHL, SGK, HWK.

Fig. 1.

The new endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulator is composed of three units: the esophagus, gastric wall, and electric units. (A-1) The esophagus unit aids endoscopic insertion. (A-2) The gastric wall unit is connected to an electric surgical unit. (A-3) The gastric wall unit is designed to have three layers of different types of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) sheets. (A-4) An electric surgical unit. (B) An existing ESD simulator is composed of three units.

Fig. 2.

Demonstration of the two endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulators. (A) The new simulator. (B) The existing simulator. (C) Demonstrations of ESD with the new simulator; a direct view from above the simulator. (C-1) Marking of the target lesion. (C-2) Submucosal injection. (C-3) Circumferential cutting. (C-4) Submucosal dissection. (D-1) ESD with submucosal injection. (D-2) ESD without submucosal injection.

Fig. 3.

Learning curves for the trainees. (A) Complete resection. (B) Perforation.

Table 1.

Suitability of simulators for ESD training based on the 7-point Likert scale^a)

Index	New simulator	Existing simulator	p-value
ESD on target lesion
Markings	6 (5–6)	4 (3.8–4)	<0.001
Submucosal injection	4.5 (4–5)	4 (3.8–4)	0.256
Mucosal incision	5.5 (5–6)	6 (4.75–6)	0.807
Submucosal dissection	5 (5–5)	5 (4–5)	0.201
Complete resection	5 (5–5)	5.5 (5–6)	0.082
Overall endoscope handling	5 (4.8–5)	3 (2–3)	<0.001
Limitations
Visibility after submucosal injection	4 (4–5)	4.5 (4–5)	0.807
Curling of dissected lesion	3 (3–4)	2.5 (2–3)	0.005
Complications
Perforation	4 (4–5)	4 (4–5)	0.693
Endoscopic clipping of perforated lesion	4.5 (4–5)	4 (4–5)	0.744
Mechanical and electric performance
Realism of gastric wall layer	6 (5.8–6)	5 (4.8–6)	0.085
Sufficient size for ESD training	6 (5.8–6)	5 (4–5)	0.005
Connectivity of ESU	7 (7–7)	7 (6.8–7)	0.554

Values are presented as median (interquartile range). Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhat disagree, 4=agree or disagree, 5=somewhat agree, 6=agree, 7=strongly agree).

ESD, endoscopic submucosal dissection; ESU, electrosurgical unit.

^a) Evaluation scores were measured by an expert group.

Table 2.

Learning curves for successful complete resection and perforation rates using the new ESD simulator, measured in the beginner group.

	Successful complete resection rate out of three trials (n=5)	Perforation rate out of three trials (n=5)
First session	1 (1–1)	2 (2–3)
Second session	2 (2–2)	2 (1–2)
Third session	2 (2–2)	1 (0–1)
Fourth session	3 (2–3)	1 (0–1)
Fifth session	3 (3–3)	0 (0–0)

Values are presented as median (interquartile range). One trainee performed ESD for three target lesions per session. There was a total of three target lesions in each session.

ESD, endoscopic submucosal dissection.

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REFERENCES

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Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study

Clin Endosc. 2023;56(5):604-612. Published online May 18, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.163

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Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study

Fig. 1. The new endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulator is composed of three units: the esophagus, gastric wall, and electric units. (A-1) The esophagus unit aids endoscopic insertion. (A-2) The gastric wall unit is connected to an electric surgical unit. (A-3) The gastric wall unit is designed to have three layers of different types of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) sheets. (A-4) An electric surgical unit. (B) An existing ESD simulator is composed of three units.

Fig. 2. Demonstration of the two endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) simulators. (A) The new simulator. (B) The existing simulator. (C) Demonstrations of ESD with the new simulator; a direct view from above the simulator. (C-1) Marking of the target lesion. (C-2) Submucosal injection. (C-3) Circumferential cutting. (C-4) Submucosal dissection. (D-1) ESD with submucosal injection. (D-2) ESD without submucosal injection.

Fig. 3. Learning curves for the trainees. (A) Complete resection. (B) Perforation.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Graphical abstract

Usefulness of a new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H)-based simulator for endoscopic submucosal dissection training: a pilot study

Index	New simulator	Existing simulator	p-value
ESD on target lesion
Markings	6 (5–6)	4 (3.8–4)	<0.001
Submucosal injection	4.5 (4–5)	4 (3.8–4)	0.256
Mucosal incision	5.5 (5–6)	6 (4.75–6)	0.807
Submucosal dissection	5 (5–5)	5 (4–5)	0.201
Complete resection	5 (5–5)	5.5 (5–6)	0.082
Overall endoscope handling	5 (4.8–5)	3 (2–3)	<0.001
Limitations
Visibility after submucosal injection	4 (4–5)	4.5 (4–5)	0.807
Curling of dissected lesion	3 (3–4)	2.5 (2–3)	0.005
Complications
Perforation	4 (4–5)	4 (4–5)	0.693
Endoscopic clipping of perforated lesion	4.5 (4–5)	4 (4–5)	0.744
Mechanical and electric performance
Realism of gastric wall layer	6 (5.8–6)	5 (4.8–6)	0.085
Sufficient size for ESD training	6 (5.8–6)	5 (4–5)	0.005
Connectivity of ESU	7 (7–7)	7 (6.8–7)	0.554

	Successful complete resection rate out of three trials (n=5)	Perforation rate out of three trials (n=5)
First session	1 (1–1)	2 (2–3)
Second session	2 (2–2)	2 (1–2)
Third session	2 (2–2)	1 (0–1)
Fourth session	3 (2–3)	1 (0–1)
Fifth session	3 (3–3)	0 (0–0)

Table 1. Suitability of simulators for ESD training based on the 7-point Likert scalea)

Values are presented as median (interquartile range). Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=somewhat disagree, 4=agree or disagree, 5=somewhat agree, 6=agree, 7=strongly agree).

ESD, endoscopic submucosal dissection; ESU, electrosurgical unit.

Evaluation scores were measured by an expert group.

Table 2. Learning curves for successful complete resection and perforation rates using the new ESD simulator, measured in the beginner group.

Values are presented as median (interquartile range). One trainee performed ESD for three target lesions per session. There was a total of three target lesions in each session.

ESD, endoscopic submucosal dissection.