Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Incorporation of virtual reality in the clinical training of medical students studying esophageal and mediastinal anatomy and surgery

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgery Today Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the effectiveness of incorporating virtual reality (VR) in lectures on esophageal and mediastinal anatomy and surgical procedures for medical students at Gifu University during clinical training.

Methods

We divided medical students participating in clinical training, randomly, into two groups of 30 students each: those who received a lecture using 3D images (3D group) and those who received a lecture using VR images (VR group). Four days after the lecture, the students completed a written test to allow us to evaluate their comprehension, and a questionnaire on their opinion of the lectures.

Results

Based on the results of the written test, the VR group achieved better understanding of computed tomography (CT) images (p = 0.0001) and better interpretation of surgical images (p = 0.0163). However, there was no difference in the scores for spatial recognition and general problems. The questionnaire revealed that the VR group became more interested in mediastinal anatomy (p = 0.0165) and surgery (p = 0.0135).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that VR enhances the learning process. The lecture incorporating the VR experience was more effective than the traditional lecture for promoting an understanding of CT images and interpretation of surgical images; thus, it enhances the learning experience for medical students studying surgery.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ito K, Sugimoto M, Tsunoyama T, Nagao T, Kondo H, Nakazawa K, et al. A trauma patient care simulation using extended reality technology in the hybrid emergency room system. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2021;90:108–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Aoki T, Koizumi T, Sugimoto M, Murakami M. Holography-guided percutaneous puncture technique for selective near-infrared fluorescence-guided laparoscopic liver resection using mixed-reality wearable spatial computer. Surg Oncol. 2020;35:476–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kitagawa M, Sugimoto M, Umezawa A, Kurokawa Y. Clinical benefit of mixed reality holographic cholecystectomy. In: Takenoshita S, Yasuhara H, editors. Surgery and operating room innovation. Tokyo: Springer; 2020. p. 107–12.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Giuseppe Q, Alfonso L, Luc S, Muhammad S, Alexandre H, Toby C, et al. Virtual and augmented reality in oncologic liver surgery. Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2019;28:31–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bartella AK, Kamal M, Scholl I, Schiffer S, Steegmann J, Ketelsen D, et al. Virtual reality in preoperative imaging in maxillofacial surgery: implementation of “the next level”? Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2019;57:644–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Samer ZA, Ralf S, Ivo F, Heinz WS, Ioanna S, Murat Y, et al. Virtual reality-based evaluation of surgical planning and outcome of monosegmental, unilateral cervical foraminal stenosis. World Neurosurg. 2019;123:e857–65.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sinitsky DM, Fernando B, Potts H, Panagis L, George H, Pasquale B. Development of a structured virtual reality curriculum for laparoscopic appendicectomy. Am J Surg. 2020;219:613–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Domenico V, Giovanni C, Juan GR, Nicola M, Bhaskar KS. VR and machine learning: novel pathways in surgical hands-on training. Curr Opin Urol. 2020;30:817–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Barré J, Michelet D, Truchot J, Jolivet E, Recanzone T, Stiti S, et al. Virtual reality single-port sleeve gastrectomy training decreases physical and mental workload in novice surgeons: an exploratory study. Obes Surg. 2019;29:1309–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Medhat A, Greg RW, Tan A. Virtual reality training in laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J surg. 2016;29:85–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Aïm F, Lonjon G, Hannouche D, Nizard R. Effectiveness of virtual reality training in orthopedic surgery. Arthroscopy. 2016;32:224–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Sato Y, Sugimoto M, Tanaka Y, Suetsugu T, Imai T, Hatanaka Y, et al. Holographic image-guided thoracoscopic surgery: possibility of usefulness for esophageal cancer patients with abnormal artery. Esophagus. 2020;17:508–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Jingjie Z, Xinliang X, Hualin J, Yi D. The effectiveness of virtual reality-based technology on anatomy teaching: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC Med Educ. 2020;20:127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Wada Y, Nishi M, Yoshikawa K, Higashijima J, Miyatani T, Tokunaga T, et al. Usefulness of virtual three-dimensional image analysis in inguinal hernia as an educational tool. Surg Endosc. 2020;34:1923–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hani MN, Are T. Computer simulation and virtual reality in undergraduate operative and restorative dental education: a critical review. J Dent Educ. 2020;84:812–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Mark T, Lucie W, Timothy H, Madeleine C, Mark H. Virtual reality videos used in undergraduate palliative and oncology medical teaching: results of a pilot study. BMJ Support Plliat Care. 2019;9:281–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lama S, Wesam A, Hatim AJ, Muhammad AK, Basim A, Faisal A. An experimental study on usefulness of virtual reality 360° in undergraduate medical education. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2019;30:907–16.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Leanne C, Thayer AM, Brittany LP, Rachel AS, Jody KT. The past, present, and future of virtual reality in pharmacy education. Am J Pharm Educ. 2019;83:7456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Huang TK, Yang CH, Hsieh YH, Wang JC, Hung CC. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applied in dentistry. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2018;34:243–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Dyer E, Swartzlander BJ, Gugliucci MR. Using virtual reality in medical education to teach empathy. J Med Libr Assoc. 2018;106:498–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Chiristian M, Zane S, Athanasions R, Allan S. The effectiveness of virtual and augmented reality in health sciences and medical anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2017;10:549–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Katelyn S, Joshua Z, Stephanie H, Anthony DS, Raj S, Satish G, et al. Immersive virtual reality as a teaching tool for neuroanatomy. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2017;7:1006–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Josh M, Craig Z, Kevin M, Stuart C, Erica S. Usefulness of virtual reality in assessment of medical student laparoscopic skill. J Surg Res. 2017;211:191–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Vivek CP, Brandon G, Nital PA, Francisco CA, Mark ML, Robert AL. The application of virtual reality in patient education. Ann Vasc Surg. 2019;59:184–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Yoshihiko H. Temporal bone educational apps about 3D layer anatomy and CT/MRI imaging (in Japanese). Otol Jpn. 2020;30:67–73.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Takeharu Imai, Yoshihiro Tanaka, Yuji Hatanaka, Tomonari Suetsugu, Yuta Sato, Nobuhisa Matsuhashi & Kazuhiro Yoshida

  2. Medical Education Development Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1194, Japan

    Koji Tsunekawa & Takuya Saiki

Authors
  1. Takeharu Imai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yoshihiro Tanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yuji Hatanaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tomonari Suetsugu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yuta Sato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nobuhisa Matsuhashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Koji Tsunekawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Takuya Saiki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Kazuhiro Yoshida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takeharu Imai.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Dr. Yoshida reports grants and lecture fees from Asahi Kasei Pharma, Chugai Pharma, Covidien Japan, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly Japan, Johnson & Johnson, MerkSerono, MSD, Nippon Kayaku, Novartis Pharma, Ono Pharm., Otsuka Pharm., Sanofi, Taiho Pharm., Takeda Pharm., TERUMO, Tsumura & Co., akult Honsha; grants from Abbott, Abbvie, Astellas, Biogen Japan, Celgene, Eisai, EP‐CRSU, EPS Corporation, FUJIFILM, GlaxoSmithKline K.K., Kaken Pharm., Kyowa Kirin, Meiji Seika Pharma, Philips, Toray Medical; lecture fees from AstraZeneka, Bristol-Myers Squibb Japan, Denka Co., Ltd, EA Pharma, Olympus, Pfizer, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho, SBI Pharma, Teijin Phamra, outside the submitted work. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Ethical statements

Before each medical student participated as a subject in the research, the research coordinator explained the process in detail using explanatory documents, and then obtained their voluntary consent after confirming their understanding. All images were created from data from one patient with esophageal cancer, who consented to the use of their data for this study after the process was explained using explanatory documents. Personal information in this research was managed in compliance with the research plan as per ethical guidelines for medical research for humans and the applicable laws and regulations.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Imai, T., Tanaka, Y., Hatanaka, Y. et al. Incorporation of virtual reality in the clinical training of medical students studying esophageal and mediastinal anatomy and surgery. Surg Today 52, 1212–1217 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-022-02457-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-022-02457-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation