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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Emergency Undocking in Robotic Surgery: A Simulation Curriculum
Published on: May 20, 2018
Does training on robotic virtual reality simulators improve the post-training robotic surgical skills of surgeons? A
Lalit Singh1, Alex Paget Rodrigues, Judy Jenkins
1The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Swansea University, Wales, UK.
Background:
The effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) simulation training for improving robotic surgical skills is not firmly established. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of VR simulator training on surgeons' robotic surgical performance in the operating room (OR).
Aim:
To synthesize evidence regarding the association between VR-based robotic surgery training and subsequent technical performance inside the OR.
Data Sources:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL databases, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria And Study Selection:
Studies evaluating VR simulator training for robotic surgeons with subsequent performance assessment in the OR were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument and the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for Education (NOS-E), along with funding source appraisal.
Data Synthesis:
A total of 294 records were screened, resulting in 13 studies (281 participants) included in the systematic review, and 4 studies (72 participants) suitable for meta-analysis. Metaanalysis was conducted using a random-effects model to pool correlation coefficients between preand post-training performance.
Results:
Of the included studies, nine reported positive evidence, three found no evidence, and one found negative evidence regarding VR training's role. The meta-analysis of before-after studies revealed a significant positive correlation ( r = 0.717, P < 0.05) between simulation performance and intraoperative outcomes.
Limitations:
The small number of studies included in the meta-analysis and methodological heterogeneity may limit generalisability of results.
Conclusions:
VR simulator training is associated with improved robotic surgical performance in the OR. Incorporation of VR simulation into robotic surgical curricula is likely beneficial for skill acquisition and operative readiness.
