Simulation training in neurosurgery: advances in education and practice

Abstract

The current simulation technology used for neurosurgical training leaves much to be desired. Significant efforts are thoroughly exhausted in hopes of developing simulations that translate to give learners the “real-life” feel. Though a respectable goal, this may not be necessary as the application for simulation in neurosurgical training may be most useful in early learners. The ultimate uniformly agreeable endpoint of improved outcome and patient safety drives these investments. We explore the development, availability, educational taskforces, cost burdens and the simulation advancements in neurosurgical training. The technologies can be directed at achieving early resident milestones placed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. We discuss various aspects of neurosurgery disciplines with specific technologic advances of simulation software. An overview of the scholarly landscape of the recent publications in the realm of medical simulation and virtual reality pertaining to neurologic surgery is provided. We analyze concurrent concept overlap between PubMed headings and provide a graphical overview of the associations between these terms.

Letter to Editor Regarding: “Decrease in Neurosurgical Program Volume During COVID-19: Residency Programs Must Adapt”

“…Advanced and user-friendly virtual reality simulators with simplified imaging technology could provide the new options for neurosurgical training. 5 We agree with Field et al. 1 that online meetings can serve as virtual conferences and can be performed using the many video conferencing platforms available.…”

Credibility, Replicability, and Reproducibility in Simulation for Biomedicine and Clinical Applications in Neuroscience

“…Currently, even the most advanced mannequins and computer-generated simulations have very limited capacity to produce a realistic focal neurological deficit or combination of signs and symptoms. Design and implementation of SBME tools is especially challenging in brain disease due to the complexity of the brain, and the variety of its responses to insult ( Chitkara et al, 2013 ; Ermak et al, 2013 ; Fuerch et al, 2015 ; Micieli et al, 2015 ; Konakondla et al, 2017 ). This complexity suggests that back-end multiscale modeling would be particularly valuable in SBME development for brain disease.…”

Virtual and Augmented Reality in Medical Education

“…They demonstrate several advantages when compared to physical models (animal or bench models): they have a lower cost in use, there is no limit in the repetitions, and they offer a great sense of variety and diversity in the simulated cases. However, the resolution and realism of the constructed world are still issues to be resolved [37].…”

“…Other specialized variations of the simulator also exist, such as the NeuroTouch Cranio, a simulator for brain tumor resection. The trainer provides haptic feedback and measures the trainee's performance [37].…”