A study published in The Spine Journal examines virtual reality based simulators for spine procedures.
The study authors searched five data sources for peer-reviewed papers on virtual, mixed or augmented reality-based simulators in spine surgery. There were 476 abstracts identified and 63 full-texts assessed in the initial review. Two reviewers identified 19 studies examining simulators for pedicle screw placement, vertebroplasty, posterior cervical laminectomy and foraminotomy, lumber surgery, facet joint injection and spinal needle insertion or placement.
The average study quality was low to medium and the MERSQI mean score was 11.47 out of 18. The study authors recommended higher quality studies with patient reported outcome measures in the future.
"To establish further adaption of VR based simulators in spinal surgery, future evaluations need to improve study quality, apply long-term study designs and examine non-technical skills as well as multi-disciplinary team training," concluded the study authors.
The full report outlines the limitations, strengths and future advancements of virtual reality-based simulators for spine surgery training.