Virtual Reality Simulation in Orthopedic Surgery Education Improves Immediate Procedural Skill and Knowledge Acquisition, But Evidence on Cost-Effectiveness and Skill Retention Remains Lacking.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Virtual reality (VR) simulation in orthopedic education has gained recent interest in the literature. VR simulation provides a virtual space to practice surgical steps accurately, creating a user-controlled environment for novice surgical trainee skill development. Despite the reported benefits, VR is not routinely incorporated into orthopedic residency core curriculum. This study reviews and synthesizes contemporary data assessing the efficacy of VR simulation in orthopedic surgical training.

Recent findings: Twenty-three studies across six subspecialty areas were included. Seven hundred and forty-eight participants trained on over nine different VR simulators. Control groups included no additional training, surgical technique guides, surgical videos, and benchtop simulators. Outcome measurements included procedure-specific checklists, objective grading scales, time-to-task completion, and accuracy of implant placement, among others. No outcomes directly focused on patient safety or involved live patients. Across disciplines, VR simulation training improved outcomes when compared to controls, conferring quicker procedure times, higher correct step completion, and more accurate implant placement, although not always statistically significant. Virtual reality is a tool employed by various industries that offers immersive, interactive, and realistic learning experiences. In orthopedics, VR has the potential to enhance skills, improve safety, and increase trainee confidence. In most of the included studies, trainees performed better in the VR simulation groups when compared to control education modalities, and participants readily embraced VR. However, there is mixed evidence on its use, and future studies are needed involving longitudinal VR education to better assess the actual impact on trainee skills, as well as performance in the operating room and its impact on patient outcomes.