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Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Remote Surgery with Augmented Reality and Robotics for Enhanced Precision and Accessibility
Published on: August 9, 2024
Augmented reality simulation as training model of ventricular puncture: Evidence in the improvement of the quality of
César F Domínguez-Velasco1,2, Isaac E Tello-Mata3, Gerardo Guinto-Nishimura3
1Applied Sciences and Technology Institute ICAT, National Autonomous University of Mexico UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico.
Background:
Ventricular puncture is a common procedure in neurosurgery and the first that resident must learn. Ongoing education is critical to improving patient outcomes. However, training at the expense of potential risk to patients warrants new and safer training methods for residents.
Methods:
An augmented reality (AR) simulator for the practice of ventricular punctures was designed. It consists of a navigation system with a virtual 3D projection of the anatomy over a 3D-printed patient model. Forty-eight participants from neurosurgery staff performed two free-hand ventricular punctures before and after a training session.
Results:
Participants achieved enhanced accuracy in reaching the target at the Monro foramen after practicing with the system. Additional metrics revealed significantly better trajectories after the training.
Conclusion:
The study confirms the feasibility of AR as a training tool. This motivates future work towards standardising new educative methodologies in neurosurgery.
