gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Advances in augmented reality and 3D printing technologies have opened the way for more realistic surgical simulators. We assessed the educational effectiveness of the UpSurgeOn simulation-based training model for medical student hands-on teaching.

Methods: We organized a two-day microneurosurgery simulation course tailored to students. On day one, three senior neurosurgeons lectured on basic principles of neurosurgery using virtual three-dimensional models and the augmented reality software of the UpSurgeOn educational app. They then demonstrated anatomical explorations and microsurgical approaches with the help of life-like physical simulators (BrainBox, UpSurgeOn). The surgical field was captured by a robotic-assisted exoscope (RoboticScope, BHS Technologies) and projected to multiple large high-definition screens. On day two, the students were equipped with surgical loupes and microsurgical instruments and rotated through multiple stations to simulate a pterional, temporal and endoscopic retrosigmoid approach. They were further instructed in the handling of the RoboticScope to practice five clipping procedures using the Aneurysm BrainBox. They were supervised by the senior faculty. All students filled out a digital 15-item questionnaire to evaluate their learning experience.

Results: Sixteen medical students from five different countries participated in the course, seven of which had never been exposed to neuroanatomical dissections before. No student had previous experience with UpSurgeOn simulators. All participants agreed the app helped develop anatomical orientation and familiarity with neurosurgical skills. They unanimously agreed this model should be part of residency training. Fourteen out of sixteen students rated their overall learning experience as totally positive, the remaining two as rather positive. Over 80% agreed that both the brain surface and the vascular and skull base anatomy were realistic. Yet, three students believed that the simulation did not help them become familiar with the real tactile sensation of the brain.

Conclusion: The UpSurgeOn educational app and real life-like cadaver-free models enable a highly effective and immersive approach to surgical training of medical students in the form of hands-on simulations. Comparative trials may identify a long-term benefit of UpSurgeOn-assisted simulation-based training over conventional training in the future.

Figure 1 [Fig. 1], Figure 2 [Fig. 2]