Virtual Reality Simulator for Pediatric Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Pediatric laparoscopic surgery demands steep learning curves and advanced skills.
• Traditional training relies on patient apprenticeship, posing ethical and safety concerns.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer a safe, cost-effective alternative for surgical skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a prototype VR simulator for pediatric laparoscopic hernia repair.
• To assess the realism and training utility of the VR simulator through surgeon feedback.

Main Methods:

• A VR simulator was created for pediatric laparoscopic hernia repair, featuring a suturing task.
• A validation study involved 36 pediatric surgeons providing subjective feedback via questionnaire.
• Face and content validity were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Overall simulation realism was rated 3.08/5, with visual realism scoring higher (3.33) than virtual tissue behavior.
• The simulator demonstrated good content validity, with usefulness ratings for hernia repair (3.61), suturing (3.64), and fundamental skills (3.89).

Conclusions:

• VR simulation is a promising tool for pediatric surgical training, enhancing education without patient risk.
• The prototype provides a solid foundation for future development, with further studies planned.
• Continued research will focus on construct validity and skill transfer to refine the VR simulator.