Virtual reality meets ENT: a low-cost high-fidelity teaching course for peritonsillar abscess drainage

This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated virtual reality as a supplementary teaching tool for peritonsillar abscess drainage among third year medical students.

Twenty students were randomised to virtual reality-based or traditional teaching, each receiving a 90-minute session followed by an objective structured clinical examination and pre-/post-session knowledge tests. The virtual reality group used HTC Vive Focus 3 headsets with Virti, 3D Organon and EXR platforms.

The virtual reality group scored higher in objective structured clinical examinations (26.9 vs. 21.5; p = 0.005) and reported greater procedural confidence (p = 0.008) and engagement (p = 0.003). Both groups improved knowledge (p < 0.001) without significant difference post-session (p = 0.701). Virtual reality was rated highly for effectiveness (9.6/10) and immersion (8.5/10) and had minimal cybersickness (1.8/10).

Virtual reality significantly enhances procedural confidence and performance. Its immersive format supports integration into surgical education, warranting further validation in larger studies.