Journal Article

Augmented reality technology shortens aneurysm surgery learning curve for residents

Xiao, Weiping, Yan, Yan, Yang, Yibing, Liu, Xinman, Liang, Feng

2024

Overview

We aimed to prospectively investigate the benefit of using augmented reality (AR) for surgery residents learning aneurysm surgery. Eight residents were included, and divided into an AR group and a control group (4 in each group). Both groups were asked to locate an aneurysm with a blue circle on the same screenshot after their viewing of surgery videos from both AR and non-AR tests. Only the AR group was allowed to inspect and manipulate an AR holographic representation of the aneurysm in AR tests. The actual location of the aneurysm was defined by a yellow circle by an attending physician after each test. Localization deviation was determined by the distance between the blue and yellow circle. Localization deviation was lower in the AR group than in the control group in the last 2 tests (AR Test 2: 2.7 ± 1.0 mm vs. 5.8 ± 4.1 mm,  = 0.01, non-AR Test 2: 2.1 ± 0.8 mm vs. 5.9 ± 5.8 mm,  < 0.001). The mean deviation was lower in non-AR Test 2 as compared to non-AR Test 1 in both groups (AR:  < 0.001, control:  = 0.391). The localization deviation of the AR group decreased from 8.1 ± 3.8 mm in Test 2 to 2.7 ± 1.0 mm in AR Test 2 (  < 0.001). AR technology provides an effective and interactive way for neurosurgery training, and shortens the learning curve for residents in aneurysm surgery.

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Aneurysm / aneurysm surgery / Aneurysms / Augmented Reality / Humans / Learning Curve / Learning curves / Localization / Medical residencies / Neurosurgical Procedures - methods / resident / Surgery / Surgery, Computer-Assisted - methods