Abstract: An apparatus 10 for training a physician in performing surgery, such as performing a sphincterotomy or papillotomy, includes a model of the human or animal tissue in which a sphincter is located, the model being cuttable by an electrosurgical tool 28 such as a sphincterotome or papillotome. More particularly, the apparatus 10 first includes a porous, nonconductive form 12 having mechanical properties comparable to those of human or animal tissue in which a sphincter is located. The apparatus 10 also includes an electroconductive gel, such as conventional electrocardiogram gel, disposed in the porous form in an amount adequate to permit cutting of the form 12 by an electrosurgical tool 28, such as a sphincterotome or papillotome. The form 12 preferably has a plurality of pores 14 formed in it. More preferably, the form 12 can be an open-cell foam of polyurethane or another synthetic elastomer, although the form 12 can also be composed of a fabric.