Virtual reality simulator: demonstrated use in neurosurgical oncology.
BACKGROUND
The overriding importance of patient safety, the complexity of surgical techniques, and the challenges associated with teaching surgical trainees in the operating room are all factors driving the need for innovative surgical simulation technologies.
Despite these issues, widespread use of virtual reality simulation technology in surgery has not been fully implemented, largely because of the technical complexities in developing clinically relevant and useful models. This article describes the successful use of the NeuroTouch neurosurgical simulator in the resection of a left frontal meningioma.


CONCLUSIONS
The widespread application of surgical simulation technology has the potential to decrease surgical risk, improve operating room efficiency, and fundamentally change surgical training.
Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. d.clarke@dal.ca
David B
DB
Clarke
Ryan C N
RC
D'Arcy
Sebastien
S
Delorme
Denis
D
Laroche
Guy
G
Godin
Sujoy Ghosh
SG
Hajra
Rupert
R
Brooks
Robert
R
DiRaddo
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface