Endoscopy 2025; 57(07): 796-813
DOI: 10.1055/a-2569-7736
Technical review

Simulators and training models for diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical and Technology Review

Chiara Coluccio
 1   Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forli-Cesena Hospitals, AUSL Romagna, Forlì Cesena, Italy
,
Jérémie Jacques
 2   Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Limoges University Hospital Center, Limoges, France
 3   Department of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
,
Istvan Hritz
 4   Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology, Division of Interventional Gastroenterology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
,
 5   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
,
Mohamed Abdelrahim
 6   Academic Directorate of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, and University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
,
Vincenzo Bove
 5   Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
,
 7   Department of Gastroenterology, Algarve University Hospital Centre, Portimão, Portugal
,
Pieter J. F. de Jonge
 8   Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
,
Giuseppe Dell’Anna
 9   Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
10   Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
,
11   Medical-Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine Department, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
12   Department of Experimental Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
,
Rodica Gincul
13   Department of Gastroenterology, Jean Mermoz Private Hospital, Lyon, France
,
 1   Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Forli-Cesena Hospitals, AUSL Romagna, Forlì Cesena, Italy
,
Rakesh Kalapala
14   Bariatric Endoscopy & Center for Artificial Intelligence and Innovation, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India
,
Christina Kapizioni
15   Department of Gastroenterology, Athens Medical Center, Athens, Greece
,
16   Department of Gastroenterology, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Cosham, UK
,
Sandra Nagl
17   Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Augsburg, Germany
,
18   Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Nea Ionia "Konstantopoulio-Patision", Athens, Greece
,
Theodor Voiosu
19   Gastroenterology Department Colentina Clinical Hospital/UMF Carol Davila Faculy of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania
,
Xavier Dray
20   Sorbonne University, Centre for Digestive Endoscopy, Saint Antoine Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
,
Bridget Barbieri
21   Senior Project Manager, European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), Munich, Germany
,
Ian M. Gralnek
22   Gastroenterology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
,
Lorenzo Fuccio
23   Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy comprises both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving the luminal GI tract as well as the biliary tree, liver, and pancreas. GI endoscopy is challenging to learn, requiring both cognitive (nontechnical) and technical skills, and requires extensive practice to attain proficiency. Simulation-based training has been shown to assist trainees and young endoscopists in acquiring new skills and accelerating the learning curve. Moreover, simulation-based training creates an ideal environment for trainees to initially learn and practice skills while making mistakes with no risk to patients.

This review, divided in two parts, offers a comprehensive summary of the different classes of simulators available for GI endoscopic training.

In Part I, only mechanical simulators are reported and described. In Part II, animal simulators (ex vivo/in vivo) and virtual reality models are detailed, together with prototypes that are currently not commercially available.

Joint last authors


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
04 April 2025

© 2025. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.

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