Can Virtual Reality Simulation Trainers Provide Transferable Skills in Knee Arthroscopy?

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Surgical Education
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) simulation offers a risk-free environment for surgical training.
• Knee arthroscopy requires specialized skills that benefit from high-fidelity simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of VR simulation for knee arthroscopy training.
• To assess skill transfer, operative time, complication rates, and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of nine databases (until September 2024) using keywords 'knee arthroscopy' and 'simulation'.
• Included seven randomized controlled trials and two observational studies (327 participants).
• Meta-analysis of key outcomes including time to task completion and Arthroscopic Surgical Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET) scores.

Main Results:

• VR-trained participants showed significant improvement in time to task completion compared to controls (MD: -87.58 seconds, p=0.010).
• Seven studies confirmed skill transfer to cadaveric models; only one showed in vivo transfer.
• VR-trained groups demonstrated shorter procedure times and improved movement economy in RCTs.

Conclusions:

• VR simulation is a potentially effective tool for knee arthroscopic training, enhancing skills in a safe setting.
• Evidence supports skill transfer to simulated environments, but in vivo validation and clinical impact assessment are needed.
• Further research should focus on cost-effectiveness and scalability for curriculum integration.