The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality Training in Thyroid Surgery A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the impact of immersive virtual reality (VR) training compared to traditional learning methods for general surgery residents in thyroid surgery. This trial aims to evaluate whether VR training can improve surgical education by focusing on specific steps from neck incision to the placement of a continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring device on the vagus nerve. The study is designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial and seeks to measure training effectiveness using objective technical skill assessments. Participants are divided into two groups. One group receives traditional training, including reading chapters from a specialized technical textbook and reviewing archived surgical videos covering key thyroid surgery steps. The other group uses a commercial VR device with an application that guides them through the same surgical steps in an immersive virtual environment. Randomization ensures balanced distribution of residents according to their experience level, and the surgical tasks are evaluated by a blinded certified endocrine surgeon. During the study, participants' surgical performance is assessed using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) score, time taken to complete tasks, need for main surgeon intervention, and verbal responses. Participants also complete questionnaires about their satisfaction with the educational process. The primary outcome is measured up to one day after the assessment by the certified surgeon. The total study duration extends from enrollment through these assessments, with ongoing monitoring of participants' training experiences.

The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality Training in Thyroid Surgery