Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42592678›Full record

ArticleClinical endoscopy2026

Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel low-cost endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography simulator with electrocautery training capability: a proof-of-concept study from India.

Avinash Tiwari, Duncan Khanikar

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Avinash TiwariDepartment of Gastroenterology, Regency Hospital Ltd., Kanpur, India. avinash.gmc@gmail.com.
Duncan KhanikarDepartment of Oncology, Assam Cancer Care Foundation (Dibrugarh Branch), Dibrugarh, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) requires extensive training, with around 350-400 supervised cases being required for proficiency. Existing simulators face costs, limited availability, and limited realism. Therefore, we developed and preliminarily evaluated a minimal ERCP training model that incorporated electrocautery capabilities.

methodsA five-phase development process was employed, including needs assessment, iterative prototyping with material optimization, technical performance testing across 50 training sessions, comparative analysis against existing simulators, and preliminary expert evaluation by eight experienced endoscopists (mean ERCP experience: 12.3±4.2 years). The primary outcomes included verification of functional capability, cost analysis, durability assessment, and expert ratings on 5-point Likert scales for realism and educational value.

resultsThe simulator successfully achieved biliary cannulation in 48/50 sessions (96.0%), supported needle knife precut training with functional electrocautery, and demonstrated compatibility with C-arm fluoroscopy, providing adequate contrast visualization. The total material cost per unit was 47.32 United States dollars (USD), compared to 180,000-250,000 USD for commercial virtual reality simulators. The model withstood 50 sessions without structural failure (onion bulb replacement was required every 8.2±1.4 precut attempts). Expert ratings indicated high scores for anatomical realism (4.1±0.6), tactile feedback (3.9±0.7), and educational value (4.4±0.5).

conclusionsThis novel, low-cost ERCP simulator demonstrated technical feasibility and face validity. This proof-of-concept requires formal prospective validation studies to establish construct validity, concurrent validity, and educational effectiveness through trainee learning outcomes before conclusions regarding the impact on clinical training can be drawn. The innovation addresses significant accessibility barriers but represents preliminary evidence that requires formal educational validation.

Indexed as

Cannulation, biliaryCholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrogradeCosts and cost analysisElectrocoagulationPrecut, needle-knife

Identifiers

PMID42592678
PMCPMC13628213

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.