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The feasibility of virtual reality for anatomic training during temporal bone dissection course

Authors :
Tomi Timonen
Matti Iso-Mustajärvi
Pia Linder
Hana Vrzakova
Saku T. Sinkkonen
Veera Luukkainen
Jaakko Laitakari
Antti-Pekka Elomaa
Aarno Dietz
Source :
Frontiers in Virtual Reality, Vol 3 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: In recent decades, the lack of educational resources for cadaveric dissections has complicated the hands-on otological surgical training of otorhinolaryngology residents due to the poor availability of cadaver temporal bones, facilities, and limited hours for practice. Since students must gain adequate and patient-safe surgical skills, novel training methods need to be considered. In this proof-of-concept study, a new virtual reality (VR) software is described; this was used during a national temporal bone dissection course where we investigated its feasibility for otological surgical training.Methods: A total of 11 otorhinolaryngology residents attended the annual 2-day hands-on temporal bone dissection course; they were divided into two groups with similar experience levels. Both groups received a lecture on temporal bone anatomy. A total of 22 cadaver temporal bones were harvested for the course; 11 of these bones were imaged by computed tomography. VR software designed for preoperative planning was then used to create 3D models of the imaged temporal bones. Prior to dissection training, the first group underwent a 30-min VR session, where they identified 24 surgically relevant anatomical landmarks on their individual temporal bone. The second group proceeded directly to dissection training. On the second day, the groups were switched. The feasibility of VR training was assessed with three different metrics: surgical performance evaluation using a modified Hopkins objective structured assessment of technical skill (OSATS), time for the surgical exposure of anatomical landmarks, and the user experience collected with a Likert scale questionnaire.Results: No differences were noted in the overall performance between the groups. However, participants with prior VR training had a lower mean time for surgical exposure of anatomical landmarks (antrum 22.09 vs. 27.64 min, p = 0.33; incus 60.00 vs. 76.00, p = 0.03; PSCC 71.83 vs. 88.50, p = 0.17) during dissection training. The participants considered VR beneficial for anatomy teaching, surgery planning, and training.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing VR training in a temporal bone dissection course. The VR training demonstrated that even short expert-guided VR sessions are beneficial, and VR training prior to the dissections has a positive effect on the time needed to perform surgical tasks while maintaining comparable performance scores.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26734192
Volume :
3
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Virtual Reality
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.65ec17144c7a45fba1a36ae149f2d2a9
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/frvir.2022.957230