Using virtual reality to maintain surgical skills during periods of robotic surgery inactivity.

摘要: Periodic practice is needed for newly trained robotic surgeons to maintain skills during periods of inactivity. The current study was performed determine whether virtual skill maintenance can serve as an adequate substitute on a surgical robot. Eleven residents with no prior training were level proficiency inanimate models, including needle driving pad, running suture and ring placement rocking peg board. After reaching proficiency, each resident tested complex tissue closure task. For the next 8 weeks, only activity biweekly maintenance. task twice robot, followed by evaluation models used reach proficiency. Repeated-measures statistical analyses compare between three trials final test at week 0 other models. Time complete more than 20 % lower second weeks two (p < 0.05). Residents maintained their driving, but times board increased 0.01). Virtual shows promise maintaining skills. Following warm-up period, some may actually improve practice, retention selective, so further improvements are needed.