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. In this latter case the pores 14 can be formed in the threads of the fabric, so that the gel 16 is absorbed into the threads themselves, or can be formed as the open spaces between the fibers of a woven or nonwoven fabric, mesh, web or felt. The electroconductive gel 16 is preferably a conventional electrocardiogram gel, based on a salt disposed in an aqueous jelly, although soap solution-based gels may also be useful. The apparatus 10 also preferably includes a stand 34 for establishing the position of the form 12 and restricting movement of the electrosurgical tool 28; this permits the apparatus 10 to mimic the manipulations which would be needed when the electrosurgical tool 28 is actually positioned within the body of the patient.