Virtual reality training for surgical trainees in laparoscopic surgery

Gurusamy KS, Aggarwal R, Palanivelu L, Davidson BR

Summary

Virtual reality training can supplement standard surgical training

Surgical training has traditionally been one of apprenticeship, where the surgical trainee learns to perform the surgery under the supervision of a trained surgeon. This is costly, time consuming, and is of variable effectiveness. Training using virtual reality simulator (a computer simulator) is an option to supplement standard training. We included all randomised clinical trials comparing virtual reality training and other forms of training including video trainer training, no training, or standard laparoscopic training in surgical trainees with little or no prior laparoscopic experience. We also included trials comparing different methods of virtual reality training. A total of 23 trials involving 612 participants were included. Most of the trials were of high risk of bias. In trainees without prior surgical experience, virtual reality training decreased the time taken to complete a task, increased accuracy, and decreased errors better than in the no training group. In the same participant group, virtual reality group was more accurate than video trainer training. In the participants with limited laparoscopic experience, virtual reality training reduced operating time, improved accuracy and decreased unnecessary movements better than standard laparoscopic training. In this participant group, the composite operative performance score was better in the virtual reality group than the video trainer group. This review has shown that virtual reality training improves standard surgical training and is at least as effective as video trainer training.