Systematic review of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of virtual reality training for laparoscopic surgery

2008/08/08 by Kurinchi Selvan Gurusamy, K Gurusamy, R Aggarwal +5 · 427 citations
Computer Science · Medicine · #Apprenticeship #Artificial intelligence #Cochrane Library #Confidence interval #Laparoscopic surgery #Laparoscopy #MEDLINE #Medical physics #Medicine #Physical medicine and rehabilitation #Physical therapy #Randomized controlled trial #Simulation-Based Education in Healthcare #Surgery #Surgical Simulation and Training #Trainer #Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts #Virtual reality

paper · doi:10.1002/bjs.6344

published in British journal of surgery 95(9), 1088-1097 (Oxford University Press)

openalex publication_date 2008/08/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surgical training has traditionally been one of apprenticeship. The aim of this review was to determine whether virtual reality (VR) training can supplement and/or replace conventional laparoscopic training in surgical trainees with limited or no laparoscopic experience. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials addressing this issue were identified from The Cochrane Library trials register, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, grey literature and reference lists. Standardized mean difference was calculated with 95 per cent confidence intervals based on available case analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three trials (mostly with a high risk of bias) involving 622 participants were included in this review. In trainees without surgical experience, VR training decreased the time taken to complete a task, increased accuracy and decreased errors compared with no training. In the same participants, VR training was more accurate than video trainer (VT) training. In participants with limited laparoscopic experience, VR training resulted in a greater reduction in operating time, error and unnecessary movements than standard laparoscopic training. In these participants, the composite performance score was better in the VR group than the VT group. CONCLUSION: VR training can supplement standard laparoscopic surgical training. It is at least as effective as video training in supplementing standard laparoscopic training.

Cited by

• Development and pilot evaluation of a virtual reality simulator for HDR prostate brachytherapy
• Simulation-Based Research: A Scoping Review
• Comparative effectiveness of instructional design features in simulation-based education: Systematic review and meta-analysis
• Technology-Enhanced Simulation for Health Professions Education
• Psychomotor control in a virtual laparoscopic surgery training environment: gaze control parameters differentiate novices from experts. [europepmc]
• Virtual reality in orthopaedics: is it a reality? [europepmc]
• Comparison of actual surgical outcomes and 3-dimensional surgical simulations. [europepmc]
• Perceptual impairment and psychomotor control in virtual laparoscopic surgery. [europepmc]
• Will the Playstation generation become better endoscopic surgeons? [europepmc]
• Impact of ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy simulation on trainee confidence and biopsy outcomes. [europepmc]
• Role of cranial and spinal virtual and augmented reality simulation using immersive touch modules in neurosurgical training. [europepmc]
• Arthroscopic proficiency: methods in evaluating competency. [europepmc]
• Virtual reality training for surgical trainees in laparoscopic surgery. [europepmc]
• Laparoscopic surgical box model training for surgical trainees with no prior laparoscopic experience. [europepmc]
• Laparoscopic surgical box model training for surgical trainees with limited prior laparoscopic experience. [europepmc]
• Advanced training in laparoscopic abdominal surgery: a systematic review. [europepmc]
• Deliberate practice enhances quality of laparoscopic surgical performance in a randomized controlled trial: from arrested development to expert performance. [europepmc]
• Randomized controlled trials: a systematic review of laparoscopic surgery and simulation-based training. [europepmc]
• The impact of feedback of intraoperative technical performance in surgery: a systematic review. [europepmc]
• The use of computerized echocardiographic simulation improves the learning curve for transesophageal hemodynamic assessment in critically ill patients. [europepmc]
• Using a computer simulation for teaching communication skills: A blinded multisite mixed methods randomized controlled trial. [europepmc]
• A software-based tool for video motion tracking in the surgical skills assessment landscape. [europepmc]
• The effects of substitute multisensory feedback on task performance and the sense of presence in a virtual reality environment. [europepmc]
• Competency assessment tool for laparoscopic suturing: development and reliability evaluation. [europepmc]
• Virtually the same? How impaired sensory information in virtual reality may disrupt vision for action. [europepmc]
• Virtual skills training: the role of presence and agency. [europepmc]
• The development of laparoscopic skills using virtual reality simulations: A systematic review. [europepmc]
• A study to investigate the effectiveness of the application of virtual reality technology in dental education. [europepmc]
• Acceptance and use of extended reality in surgical training: an umbrella review. [europepmc]

Related

• Randomized clinical trial of virtual reality simulation for laparoscopic skills training
• Visual force feedback in laparoscopic training
• On the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-based Training for Robotic Setup
• Evaluation of a novel home-based laparoscopic and core surgical skills programme (Monash Online Surgical Training)
• Adding Safety Rules to Surgeon-Authored VR Training