Assessment of skills using a virtual reality temporal bone surgery simulator

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation

Background:

• Temporal bone surgery is complex, requiring precise anatomical dissection for middle ear procedures.
• Effective training is crucial for ear surgeons to ensure patient safety and surgical success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of a virtual reality (VR) temporal bone surgery simulator for training ear surgeons.
• To assess the simulator's ability to differentiate skill levels among users with varying surgical experience.

Main Methods:

• Seventeen ENT physicians and 20 medical students performed a simulated antrotomy using a VR temporal bone surgery simulator.
• Performance was assessed via the simulator's automatic software and a modified Final Product Analysis Scale, focusing on ease, accuracy, and timing.

Main Results:

• All participants successfully completed the simulated antrotomy.
• Highly trained ENT surgeons performed the procedure in approximately half the time with superior accuracy and fewer injuries to critical structures.
• No significant performance differences were observed between medical students and physicians without prior ear surgery experience.

Conclusions:

• The VR temporal bone training system effectively stratifies users by experience level.
• This simulator is valuable for enhancing surgical skills in experienced ENT surgeons and for foundational training of inexperienced physicians and medical students.
• VR simulation offers a safe and objective method for improving temporal bone surgical proficiency and reducing intraoperative complications.