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Conference
2025 Annual ACS Surgeons and Engineers Meeting
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
3-2025
Description
Background
Little work has been published on virtual reality simulations in skull base surgery. This study aims to elucidate on the technical development, subjective evaluation, and future improvements of a virtual reality anatomical simulation for skull base surgery.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary group of physicians, computer scientists, and anatomical illustrators contributed to a virtual reality simulation targeting the anatomy of skull base surgery. Various patient’s CT scan data of the skull and vasculature was segmented using AMIRA, and refined in ZBrush for anatomical accuracy including true foramina. Models were meticulously aligned and retopologized to reduce total polygon count, optimizing them for use in virtual reality. A prototype of the application was then created in ShapesXR, imported into Unity, and made available on the Meta Quest 3 headset. Feedback was given by a select group of testers throughout the development process.
A survey was developed based on the evidence-based 5-point Likert scale for clinical simulator surveys. Participants in a resident-focused skull base surgery course were enrolled to provide feedback on the simulation.
Results
Challenges of simulation development center on reconstructing thin areas, including the various foramina, from segmented data. Sixteen participants with various training backgrounds, including medical students, otolaryngology and neurosurgery residents, and faculty completed the survey following the skull base anatomy and endoscopy dissection course. Course surveys demonstrated 75% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the VR/3D model was helpful in preparing for endoscopic dissection. All course participants agreed (44%) or strongly agreed (56%) that they would recommend VR/3D model training prior to endoscopic dissection and/or operative experience. The most significant barrier was the learning curve of the VR technology (57%).
Conclusion
High-fidelity anatomical and surgical simulations continue to allow trainees to gain experience with a procedure in a low-risk environment. Our study's participants suggested this simulation would be a helpful steppingstone before completing complex skull base procedures in the operating room. Further work will focus on increasing fidelity and usability of the simulation.
Disciplines
Otolaryngology
Recommended Citation
Satroplus, Tony; Goicoechea, Steven; Ang, Jer Weann; Wilt, Jeremiah J.; Fisher, Wesley A.; Varandani, Dheeraj; and Barnes, Christie, "Virtual Reality Anatomical Simulation for Skull Base Surgery" (2025). Posters and Presentations: Otolaryngology. 4.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/com_otolayrn_pres/4
