VIRTUAL REALITY FOR SURGICAL TRAINING AND SIMULATION IN ORTHOPAEDIC FRACTURE SURGERY

The use of VR in orthopaedic surgical training is currently limited, primarily utilised within the realm of arthroscopy and arthroplasty procedures. Orthopaedic trauma surgery represents a significant portion of orthopaedic workload and a core component of orthopaedic training. Currently, VR as an education tool within orthopaedic trauma surgery has very little evidence. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a new and novel VR simulation as a tool for training orthopaedic surgeons in the assessment and surgical management of ankle fractures. Orthopaedic trainees completed a VR task, assessing ankle fracture patterns and planning surgical fixation. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the utility of VR to assess and plan surgical fixation, assessing confidence, competence and acceptability of the tool, in addition to thematic analysis of participants feedback of the VR software. Following the VR exercise, participant confidence classifying ankle fracture patterns increased from 3.2 to 7.2 out of 10 (p=<0.01). Confidence in ankle fracture fixation and surgical planning increased from 3.5 to 6.6 out of 10 (p=<0.01). Themes from semi-structured group review of the VR platform included; improved visualisation of fracture patterns, better informed planning of surgical approach and improved fixation planning. VR represents an effective educational tool for orthopaedic ankle fracture surgery. Benefits include increased trainee confidence identifying fractures requiring surgical fixation, with VR informing surgical approach and fixation principles. Orthopaedic trainees look forward to seeing an increase in the utilisation of VR within their training.