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What Is Your Reality? Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in Plastic Surgery Training, Education, and Practice
Gordon K Lee1, Shawn Moshrefi1, Victor Fuertes1
1From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center; the University Hospital Miguel Servet; and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|November 25, 2020
Summary
Virtual reality and simulation technologies offer plastic surgery trainees and surgeons a safe way to practice complex procedures. These digital tools are revolutionizing surgical education and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical technology
- Surgical education
- Plastic surgery
Background:
- Technological advancements, including virtual reality (VR), have rapidly increased over the past two decades.
- Surgical technique and precision are increasingly critical for optimal patient outcomes in delicate procedures.
- Plastic surgeons and residents must adapt to new technologies to meet evolving patient care demands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent technological advancements and their applications in plastic surgery education.
- To explore the future potential of these technologies in surgical training.
- To highlight the paradigm shift in surgical education driven by digital tools.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent technological developments in surgical simulation.
- Analysis of applications of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality in plastic surgery training.
- Exploration of the parallels between surgical simulation and other industries, such as aviation.
Main Results:
- Technological advancements provide a safe environment for learning, simulating, and practicing surgical procedures without patient risk.
- Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality tools offer significant opportunities for synthesizing and incorporating learned material.
- Digital education's importance has been underscored by global health events like pandemics.
Conclusions:
- Emerging technologies are transforming plastic surgery education by enabling risk-free practice and enhanced learning.
- The integration of simulation technologies represents a significant paradigm shift in surgical training.
- Continued development and adoption of these tools will be crucial for the future of plastic surgery education.
