The development of a virtual simulator for training neurosurgeons to perform and perfect endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery

Document Type

Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A virtual reality (VR) neurosurgical simulator with haptic feedback may provide the best model for training and perfecting surgical techniques for transsphenoidal approaches to the sella turcica and cranial base. Currently there are 2 commercially available simulators: NeuroTouch (Cranio and Endo) developed by the National Research Council of Canada in collaboration with surgeons at teaching hospitals in Canada, and the Immersive Touch. Work in progress on other simulators at additional institutions is currently unpublished. OBJECTIVE: This article describes a newly developed application of the NeuroTouch simulator that facilitates the performance and assessment of technical skills for endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgical procedures as well as plans for collecting metrics during its early use. METHODS: The main components of the NeuroTouch-Endo VR neurosurgical simulator are a stereovision system, bimanual haptic tool manipulators, and high-end computers. The software engine continues to evolve, allowing additional surgical tasks to be performed in the VR environment. Device utility for efficient practice and performance metrics continue to be developed by its originators in collaboration with neurosurgeons at several teaching hospitals in the United States. Training tasks are being developed for teaching 1- and 2-nostril endonasal transsphenoidal approaches. Practice sessions benefit from anatomic labeling of normal structures along the surgical approach and inclusion (for avoidance) of critical structures, such as the internal carotid arteries and optic nerves. CONCLUSION: The simulation software for NeuroTouch-Endo VR simulation of transsphenoidal surgery provides an opportunity for beta testing, validation, and evaluation of performance metrics for use in neurosurgical residency training. ABBREVIATIONS: CTA, cognitive task analysisVR, virtual reality.

Medical Subject Headings

Carotid Arteries (anatomy & histology); Clinical Competence; Computer Simulation; Curriculum; Endoscopes; Endoscopy (education); Humans; Internship and Residency; Nasal Cavity (anatomy & histology, surgery); Neurosurgery (education); Neurosurgical Procedures (education); Optic Nerve (anatomy & histology); Software; Sphenoid Bone (anatomy & histology, surgery); Surgical Instruments; User-Computer Interface

Publication Date

10-1-2013

Publication Title

Neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1524-4040

Volume

73 Suppl 1

First Page

85

Last Page

93

PubMed ID

24051889

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1227/NEU.0000000000000112

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