Comparative Effectiveness of Physical and Virtual Reality Simulators in Robotic Surgical Training

Introduction: Robotic surgery training requires effective simulation methods to ensure proficiency. Virtual reality (VR) simulators and physical models offer different approaches. Methods: A study was conducted with 30 surgical residents, divided into two groups: one trained on a high-fidelity physical simulator and the other on a VR simulator. Both groups completed standardized exercises, followed by an assessment of their surgical performance using the da Vinci Surgical System simulator. Performance scores were analyzed using statistical methods, including t-tests and multiple linear regression. Results: Residents trained on the physical simulator obtained higher scores compared with those using VR simulation, with a statistically significant difference in overall scores (76 ± 17 vs. 34 ± 29; p < 0.001). The use of the physical simulator was the most influential factor in improved performance, independent of the year of residency. Conclusions: High-fidelity physical simulators enhance robotic surgical training compared to VR simulators.