Virtual Reality in Orthopedic Surgery Training | AMEP – Dove Medical Press

Introduction

Technological advances continue to improve and transform the field of medicine and patient care. One emerging technology is virtual reality (VR). VR is a technology that uses 3-dimensional imaging and databases to create a simulate, interactive environment, typically using a head-mounted display. VR has been explored in many different specialties with clinical applications, such as psychiatric therapy, pain management, rehabilitation, and traumatic brain injury.^1–5 This technology has the potential for a wide range of uses in orthopaedic surgery, such as surgical training, pre-operative planning, and intra-operative navigation.

Currently, VR is predominantly utilized by orthopaedic surgeons for pre-operative planning and training.⁶ There is considerable variability among orthopaedic surgery residency programs in the frequency of use and applications of VR in training residents.⁷ The literature is also limited regarding the exposure to VR training exercises orthopaedic surgery residents receive nationally. Current applications of VR in resident training include arthroscopic simulators, fully immersive operative simulations (eg, trauma management, arthroplasty), bone drilling haptic simulators, and reconstruction simulations.^6,8–11

Studies exploring VR use have been limited in the past due to infrequent utilization and incomplete development of the technology. However, adoption has accelerated with continued development and more studies have investigated its use during the last decade. Recent studies have suggested that the use of VR during the training of orthopaedic surgery residents improves surgical performance.^7,9,10,12 This is an area where VR can provide a tremendous benefit to the field of orthopaedic surgery as it offers a safe and accessible complement to orthopaedic surgical training outside of the operating room (OR) without involving patients directly.¹³ Additionally, VR simulation may prove especially valuable in the development of arthroscopic skill where the nature of arthroscopic surgery can make it more difficult for residents to develop from assisting and observation alone.¹⁴ Furthermore, the use of VR has been positively received by residents and associated with increased comfort in perceived operating skills.^14,15 Recent primary studies referenced in this study are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 Summary of Referenced Primary Studies Evaluating the Use of Virtual Reality Simulation in Orthopaedic Surgery Training Published Within Five Years

As discussions around developing a standardized orthopaedic surgical skills curriculum continue, it is important to continue exploring the efficacy of VR in education, challenges in its use, barriers to its adoption, and its safety in surgical training.^6,16 Overarching advantages and disadvantages of the use of VR simulators in orthopaedic training are summarized in Table 2. This review will elucidate the current state of virtual reality use in the training of orthopaedic surgeons and highlight key benefits and challenges in its application as a training resource.

Table 2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual Reality in Teaching Orthopaedic Procedures

Virtual Reality Technology Overview

Virtual reality is a technology capable of producing a simulation that allows users to become immersed in and interact with a three-dimensional, computer-generated multisensory environment.¹⁷ It typically involves the use of a head-mounted display placing the user inside the experience, thus making the environment and experience feel realistic. VR simulators also characteristically involve the use of handheld devices capable of allowing users to experience force-feedback haptic technology, including visual and physical feedback. These handheld devices are able to be tracked and …….

Source: https://www.dovepress.com/virtual-reality-in-orthopedic-surgery-training-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-AMEP