The Complete Guide to VR in Surgical Training

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that can be experienced through a VR headset or other devices.

In recent years, VR has been increasingly used in surgical education to provide trainees with realistic and immersive experiences that can help them improve their surgical skills.

Advantages of VR surgery training

01. Realistic and immersive experiences

VR allows trainees to practice surgical procedures in a realistic and immersive environment that closely mimics the conditions of a real operating room.

This can help trainees develop their surgical skills and improve their confidence in performing procedures.

02. Repeatable and objective training

VR simulations can be repeated as many times as needed, allowing trainees to practice procedures until they feel comfortable and confident.

Additionally, VR simulations can provide objective data on trainees' performance, which can be used for feedback and assessment.

03. Reduced costs and risks

VR simulations can help reduce the costs and risks associated with traditional surgical education, such as the need for cadavers or animals for dissection, and the risk of complications from procedures performed by trainees.

04. Improved education

VR simulations can provide a more engaging and interactive learning experience, which can help improve trainees' understanding of surgical procedures and increase their retention of knowledge.

Platforms using VR surgery training

1. Medical Augmented Intelligence creates AR and VR educational tools. The company’s Body Map and DigiTwin help students and professionals Immerse in a virtual reality anatomy learning experience.

2. Immersive Touch creates virtual reality solutions for surgical planning, training, and education in neurosurgery.

3. OssoVR is a virtual surgery simulation platform that offers realistic hand-based interactions.

4. Surgical Theater created a VR-based surgical rehearsal platform for neurosurgical preoperative planning and rehearsal.

Limitations of virtual reality surgery training

01. High costs

VR systems and equipment can be expensive, which can make them difficult for some educational institutions to afford.

02. Limited availability

VR simulations may not be available for all types of surgical procedures or anatomies.

03. Lack of realism

While VR simulations can be highly realistic, they may not fully replicate the conditions of a real operating room, which can limit their effectiveness for training.

04. Limited feedback

Some VR simulations may not provide sufficient feedback on trainees' performance, which can limit the effectiveness of the training.

The Future of VR Surgery Training

More procedures and anatomies

Researchers and developers are working to create VR simulations for a broader range of surgical procedures and anatomies, which will make VR more accessible to trainees.

Surgical planning and execution

VR is being used to assist in surgical planning, allowing surgeons to visualize and plan procedures before they are performed, and also to aid in the execution of the procedure.

Integration with other technologies

VR is being integrated with other technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and haptic feedback to create more realistic and immersive simulations.

AI-powered virtual reality

AI is being used in VR to communicate with users and engage them in such a manner that makes them feel at ease.

This is being done through AI-powered chatbots and robots used to determine the behavior of that user and help choose the best results to match the level of each user.

Virtual reality has been showing a promising future in surgical education. It provides an opportunity to learn and practice surgical procedures in a realistic and immersive environment, which can help improve the trainee's surgical skills and confidence.

However, it is important to consider the limitations and costs when implementing VR in surgical education.

The field is continually evolving, with the development of new VR simulations and the integration of VR with other technologies to enhance the learning experience.