Virtual Reality Surgical Skills Simulation in Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery: State-wide pilot program

Abstract

Introduction: Orthopaedic Surgery is a demanding, technical specialty of Medicine requiring hundreds of thousands of hours in "hands-on" training. Given variations in population, training and geography, trainees often do not have exposure to all procedures during training. Virtual Reality is a digital media that has been demonstrated to shorten the learning curve of medical students and surgical residents in a number of procedures. However, to date no study has studied the use of virtual reality for retrograde femoral nailing for femoral fractures. Further, education for anterior approach hip replacement, a procedure with a documented high learning curve, has not been studied with virtual reality in the Australian environment; particularly in Queensland where hospitals are separated by large distances and rurality.   Methods: 10 Orthopaedic Surgery Accredited Trainees underwent an 8 week prospective cohort study. 2 procedures were tested, Retrograde Femoral Nailing and Direct Anterior Approach Total Hip Replacement with Hana table. Baseline Virtual Reality testing was undertaken before each procedure. Combination of independent study with virtual reality headset (Oculus 2) and Osso VR training software, Collaborative Training Sessions with Qualified Orthopaedic Surgeons in the Virtual Reality Metaverse, and Webinars with a Capstone in person training session. Virtual Operative Time, number of mistakes, number of hints were measured, as well as qualitative feedback from participants.   Results: Interim results demonstrate a decrease in virtual reality operative time for the first procedure (retrograde nailing). The second procedure virtual reality training course is still underway. Post course survey results have not yet been collected.