To introduce the preliminary experience of the application of ladder-type operation training mode in flexible ureteroscope teaching.

The urologists who received advanced studied and flexible ureteroscope training in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University's from May 2015 to May 2018 were randomly divided into the ladder-type training group (n=20) and traditional training group (n=20). In the traditional training group, the urologists were directly subject to clinical training. In the ladder-type training group, the urologists had to receive theoretical study, in vitro training and animal operation prior to clinical training. They could proceed into the next stage of training only after passing the examination of the previous session.

Age, educational level, professional title and experience of ureteroscopy did not significantly differ between two groups. Through systematic training, 40 urologists could independently complete the procedures of ureteroscopy under the guidance of their instructors. Age, gender and stone load did not significantly differ between two groups. The operation training time (month) and the number of operation training case, the first independent operation time and the scores of training urologists significantly differed between two groups. Intraoperatively, no stone displacement, ureteral perforation or residual stone was observed. In the ladder-type training group, one patient was complicated with urinary tract infection after surgery, which was mitigated after routine anti-infection therapy.

Application of the ladder-type training mode in flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy can shorten the operation training time, reduce the number of operation training cases, shorten the first independent operation time and enhance the scores of training urologists.