Enhancing surgical training through immersive and interactive virtual reality experiences in robotic surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery has revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery, offering unparalleled advantages in terms of visualization, maneuverability, and ergonomic comfort. Its widespread adoption across various medical specialties necessitates comprehensive training programs for surgeons and surgical teams. This manuscript introduces an innovative approach to surgical education through immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences. The immersive journeys take users inside the operating room during robotic thoracic (lobectomy) and robotic bariatric (duodenal switch) procedures. The experience was crafted by recording 360° that are then edited using a software, offering a meticulously designed three-part narrative. The first segment familiarizes users with navigation within the VR environment, providing instructions on transitioning between scenes and interacting with interactive 'hotspots'. The second segment transports participants to the actual operating room, where interactive elements provide insights into surgical knowledge, strategies, operating room configuration, and instrumentation. This information is presented graphically and textually. The third segment focuses on critical procedure steps, effectively conveying key surgical elements through edited segments. This VR experience can be conveniently downloaded and accessed on various head-mounted devices (HDMs), offering independent functionality and unmatched versatility. While a 2D mode is available, it is important to note that it compromises the immersive quality of the experience. This manuscript underscores the potential of immersive VR training in bridging the gap between novice and expert surgeons, particularly for complex procedures. It emphasizes the evolving role of technology in surgical education and calls for further research to assess acceptability and effectiveness. Ongoing studies are dedicated to evaluating the usability, utility, and limitations of this transformative tool.