title: Learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement using a high-resolution augmented reality simulator with haptic feedback.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the use of a part-task simulator with 3D and haptic feedback as a training tool for a common neurosurgical procedure--placement of thoracic pedicle screws.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the learning retention of thoracic pedicle screw placement on a high-performance augmented reality and haptic technology workstation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one fellows and residents performed thoracic pedicle screw placement on the simulator. The virtual screws were drilled into a virtual patient's thoracic spine derived from a computed tomography data set of a real patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a 12.5% failure rate, a 2-proportion z test yielded P = .08. For performance accuracy, an aggregate Euclidean distance deviation from entry landmark on the pedicle and a similar deviation from the target landmark in the vertebral body yielded P = .04 from a 2-sample t test in which the rejected null hypothesis assumes no improvement in performance accuracy from the practice to the test sessions, and the alternative hypothesis assumes an improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The performance accuracy on the simulator was comparable to the accuracy reported in literature on recent retrospective evaluation of such placements. The failure rates indicated a minor drop from practice to test sessions, and also indicated a trend (P = .08) toward learning retention resulting in improvement from practice to test sessions. The performance accuracy showed a 15% mean score improvement and more than a 50% reduction in standard deviation from practice to test. It showed evidence (P = .04) of performance accuracy improvement from practice to test session.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA.
authors.forename: Cristian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Luciano
authors.forename: P Pat
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bellotte
authors.forename: G Michael
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemole
authors.forename: Fady T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Charbel
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roitberg
mesh_terms: D001863:Bone Screws; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D014584:User-Computer Interface