Evaluating the effectiveness of the Voxel-Man TempoSurg virtual reality simulator in facilitating learning mastoid surgery

Abstract

Virtual reality simulation and CTB have features that allow effective learning. Some of these are common to both, in some CTB is better and in others virtual reality is better. Virtual reality could be a significant mode of learning supplementary to CTB and experience in the operating theatre.

Objective assessment of learning curves for the Voxel-Man TempoSurg temporal bone surgery computer simulator

“…Surgical simulators have been validated in numerous settings, 4 including sinus surgery, 5 laparoscopic biliary surgery 6 and gastrointestinal endoscopy 7 . Temporal bone simulators have also been validated 8 – 10 …”

Feasibility of a Synthetic Temporal Bone for Training in Mastoidectomy

“…Ethical and financial considerations have driven the search for alternative solutions like computer-based virtual reality models and synthetic bone substitutes (1,2). Creating a temporal bone simulator of any type is particularly challenging because of the complex anatomy of this compact area comprising air, soft tissue, and bone.…”

A review of simulation platforms in surgery of the temporal bone

“…The VOXEL‐MAN platform was created at the University of Hamburg and first released in 2005 as the ‘TempoSurg’, then released in a significantly updated version as the ‘Tempo’ in 2011. The earlier ‘TempoSurg’ version was reported to have unacceptable validity both in terms of anatomy and haptic feedback . The ‘Tempo’ version has sought to address some of these deficiencies.…”