Virtual reality and traditional training in surgical instrumentation: A non-inferiority comparative study

Medical education is undergoing a profound transformation due to technological advancements. Integrating cutting-edge tools like virtual environments and computer-based simulators heralds a new era in teaching methodologies. The objective of the study is to analyze the performance and satisfaction levels of residents undergoing basic surgical skills training using virtual reality.

The authors recruited residents from the first year in general surgery and allocated them randomly into three groups: a) Text; b) Practice and c) Virtual reality. Initially, the residents completed a pretest for an evaluation and then they were trained according to the group they were assigned to. All the residents performed a 30-minute training session. After that, they took a posttest. Both tests were composed of multiple-choice ten questions. At the end of this study, the authors determined the score by calculating the delta of the performance (Δ = posttest -pretest). After the training, all the participants filled in a five-question satisfaction questionnaire.

Regarding the difference between the pretest and post-test, there was no difference between groups. Only one participant (1/8) showed nausea in the virtual groups. The recommendation and satisfaction after the task were higher in the Virtual reality group compared to the Text group. There was an association between satisfaction after the exercises (VR) and recommendation score.

Virtual reality is safe and non-inferior to traditional surgical instrumentation training. This tool might be a practical and attractive alternative to the traditional instrumentation classes.