Summary

We evaluated a VR headset for knee arthroplasty with consultant surgeons (attendings) and residents. We also collected information on the usefulness of it for training.

Abstract

Introduction

There is an increased demand for lower limb arthroplasty in an aging population. This in combination with more constraints on surgical training poses a dilemma for consultants and trainees. There is a need to increase surgical output with less training time. Simulation is used in other industries, such as pilots, to accelerate the learning curve and could be used to help junior orthopaedic trainees prepare for training in arthroplasty surgery. Virtual Reality (VR) simulators for arthroscopic procedures are well established but VR simulators for open procedures, such as Total Knee arthroplasty (TKA), have yet to be validated.

Aims
The aim of the study was to evaluate the content and face validity of the OSSO VR headset with the Depuy Attune software for knee arthroplasty. Secondary aim: subjective evaluation of this simulation tool by the learners.

Methods

Thirty participants were split into experienced (8) and inexperienced (22), defined as those with more than 40 TKA, the accepted number of TKA to complete training in the UK. Participants were shown how to use the VR headset. After a test run they completed a questionnaire collected on a 5 point Likert scale assessing face and content validity. We also collected qualitative data on perception of the simulator and usefulness in training.

Results

100% of the experienced participants felt that the simulator represented a real life TKA closely thereby establishing face validity. 100% of the experienced participants also approved the content used to teach a TKA procedure. Participants really valued simulation as a tool to aid learning how to undertake TKA with 100% of inexperienced surgeons agreeing or strongly agreeing that the simulator increased knowledge and understanding of TKA.

Conclusions

The Depuy simulator using OSSO VR software was well received by both experienced and inexperienced Orthopaedic surgeons. Strongly positive responses indicates that the simulator has content and face validity for its use in surgical training for TKA.