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Objective skills assessment and construct validation of a virtual reality temporal bone simulator
Sameer Khemani1, Asit Arora, Arvind Singh
1Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust, Surrey, UK. drsamk@hotmail.com
Summary
Virtual reality simulation metrics effectively differentiate surgeon experience levels in temporal bone surgery. This technology shows promise for surgical training and assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Simulation
- Surgical Education
Background:
- The Voxelman TempoSurg Virtual Reality (VR) simulator offers a novel platform for temporal bone surgery training.
- Objective metrics are needed to validate VR simulators for surgical skill assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the construct validity of the Voxelman TempoSurg VR temporal bone simulator.
- To determine if objective metrics can differentiate otologic surgeons by experience level.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 65 participants (40 novice, 15 intermediate, 10 expert otolaryngologists).
- Participants performed a standardized temporal bone task involving sigmoid sinus identification and bone removal.
- Objective metrics including time, bone removal efficiency, and injury data were collected via the simulator's software.
Main Results:
- Experienced and intermediate surgeons significantly outperformed novices in task completion time, bone removal efficiency, and reduced sigmoid sinus injuries.
- Intermediate surgeons showed more sigmoid sinus injuries and less efficiency compared to experts.
- Objective metrics successfully distinguished between different levels of surgical experience.
Conclusions:
- Objective metrics generated by the Voxelman TempoSurg VR simulator can differentiate surgeons based on experience.
- VR simulation is a valuable tool for surgical training and holds potential for both formative and summative assessments.
