Immersive technologies for total knee arthroplasty surgical education

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Education Technology

Background:

• Surgical training faces evolving challenges, including work-hour restrictions and patient safety concerns.
• Traditional teaching methods require supplementation due to these modern training constraints.
• Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) offer promising alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the application of VR and AR in surgical education.
• To explore the role of immersive technologies in modern total knee replacement (TKR) training.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on VR and AR in surgical training.
• Analysis of potential benefits and challenges of integrating VR/AR into TKR curricula.

Main Results:

• VR and AR can provide safe, repeatable, and engaging learning experiences.
• These technologies can simulate complex surgical procedures, enhancing anatomical understanding and skill acquisition.
• Preliminary investigations show potential for improved surgical performance in total joint arthroplasty.

Conclusions:

• VR and AR represent valuable tools for enhancing total knee replacement surgical education.
• Adapting curricula with immersive technologies is crucial for meeting contemporary surgical training demands.
• Further research and integration are recommended to fully leverage VR/AR in orthopedic surgical training.