Neurosurgical Education Using Cadaver-Free Brain Models and Augmented Reality: First Experiences from a Hands-On Simulation Course for Medical Students

Ibrahim E Efe; Emre Çinkaya; Leonard D Kuhrt; Melanie M T Bruesseler; Armin Mührer-Osmanagic

doi:10.3390/medicina59101791

Neurosurgical Education Using Cadaver-Free Brain Models and Augmented Reality: First Experiences from a Hands-On Simulation Course for Medical Students

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Oct 9;59(10):1791. doi: 10.3390/medicina59101791.

Authors

Ibrahim E Efe¹, Emre Çinkaya^{2

3}, Leonard D Kuhrt⁴, Melanie M T Bruesseler^{5

6}, Armin Mührer-Osmanagic⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
² University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20251 Hamburg, Germany.
³ Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain.
⁴ Department of Traumatology and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 80539 Munich, Germany.
⁶ The GKT School of Medical Education, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK.
⁷ Department of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, Schulthess Klinik, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Neurosurgery has been underrepresented in the medical school curriculum. Advances in augmented reality and 3D printing have opened the way for early practical training through simulations. We assessed the usability of the UpSurgeOn simulation-based training model and report first experiences from a hands-on neurosurgery course for medical students. Materials and Methods: We organized a two-day microneurosurgery simulation course tailored to medical students. On day one, three neurosurgeons demonstrated anatomical explorations with the help of life-like physical simulators (BrainBox, UpSurgeOn). The surgical field was projected onto large high-definition screens by a robotic-assisted exoscope (RoboticScope, BHS Technologies). On day two, the students were equipped with microsurgical instruments to explore the surgical anatomy of the pterional, temporal and endoscopic retrosigmoid approaches. With the help of the RoboticScope, they simulated five clipping procedures using the Aneurysm BrainBox. All medical students filled out a digital Likert-scale-based questionnaire to evaluate their experiences. Results: Sixteen medical students participated in the course. No medical students had previous experience with UpSurgeOn. All participants agreed that the app helped develop anatomical orientation. They unanimously agreed that this model should be part of residency training. Fourteen out of sixteen students felt that the course solidified their decision to pursue neurosurgery. The same fourteen students rated their learning experience as totally positive, and the remaining two rated it as rather positive. Conclusions: The UpSurgeOn educational app and cadaver-free models were perceived as usable and effective tools for the hands-on neuroanatomy and neurosurgery teaching of medical students. Comparative studies may help measure the long-term benefits of UpSurgeOn-assisted teaching over conventional resources.

Keywords: 3D printing; UpSurgeOn; augmented reality; medical student; neurosurgery education; simulation.

MeSH terms

Augmented Reality*
Brain
Computer Simulation
Curriculum
Humans
Students, Medical*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.