Augmented reality technology shortens aneurysm surgery learning curve for residents

Xinman Liu ¹, Weiping Xiao ¹, Yibing Yang ¹

⁰Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Computer Assisted Surgery (abingdon, England) +

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February 5, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Augmented reality (AR) training significantly improved aneurysm localization accuracy for surgery residents compared to traditional methods. This interactive technology effectively shortens the learning curve in neurosurgery education.

Area Of Science

Neurosurgery
Medical Education
Surgical Simulation

Background

Neurosurgery residents require effective training methods for complex procedures like aneurysm surgery.
Traditional surgical training may have limitations in providing interactive and immersive learning experiences.

Purpose Of The Study

To prospectively evaluate the benefits of augmented reality (AR) in training surgery residents for aneurysm surgery.
To assess the impact of AR on the accuracy of aneurysm localization during surgical training.

Main Methods

Eight residents were divided into an AR group and a control group.
Participants located aneurysms on screenshots after viewing surgical videos.
The AR group utilized interactive holographic representations of aneurysms.

Main Results

The AR group demonstrated significantly lower localization deviation in later tests compared to the control group (AR Test 2: 2.7 mm vs. 5.8 mm; non-AR Test 2: 2.1 mm vs. 5.9 mm).
Localization deviation decreased substantially within the AR group from initial to AR-specific tests.
Both groups showed improvement in non-AR tests, but the AR group's improvement was more pronounced.

Conclusions

Augmented reality technology offers an effective and interactive platform for neurosurgery training.
AR significantly enhances the learning curve for residents acquiring aneurysm surgery skills.

Keywords:

Augmented reality aneurysm surgery learning curve resident