1. Learning by doing virtually.
- Author
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von Sternberg N, Bartsch MS, Petersik A, Wiltfang J, Sibbersen W, Grindel T, Tiede U, Warnke PH, Heiland M, Russo PA, Terheyden H, Pohlenz P, and Springer IN
- Subjects
- Alveolectomy, Animals, Clinical Competence, Feedback, Humans, Intraoperative Complications, Mandibular Nerve pathology, Motor Skills, Self-Assessment, Swine, Apicoectomy, Computer Simulation, Learning, Surgery, Oral education, User-Computer Interface
- Abstract
Selective reduction of bone without collateral damage (nerves, teeth) is essential in apicectomy. To test whether skills acquired on a virtual apicectomy simulator (VOXEL-MAN system with integrated force-feedback) are transferable from virtual to physical reality, two groups of trainees were compared. Group 1 received computer-based virtual surgical training before performing an apicectomy in a pig cadaver model. The probability of preserving vital neighboring structures was improved significantly, i.e. six-fold, after virtual surgical training (P<0.001). The average volume of the bony defects created by the trainees of Group 2 (mean: 0.47 ml) was significantly (P<0.001) larger than by the trainees of Group 1 (mean: 0.25 ml). Most importantly, the ability to objectively self-assess performance was significantly improved after virtual training. Training with a virtual apicectomy simulator appears to be effective, and the skills acquired are transferable to physical reality.
- Published
- 2007
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