Virtual reality training for mastoidectomy: What do trainees and faculty think?

Objectives: To explore trainee's and faculty's perception towards the Virtual Reality (VR) temporal bone simulator (The VOXEL-MAN TempoSurg) Study Design: A cross-sectional survey design Methods: A total of 32 participants, working at the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS), who previously used the VR temporal bone simulator, were sent a 20-item survey. A 5-point Likert scale was utilized with points anchored at, 1) strongly disagree, 3) neutral, and 5) strongly agree. Results: A response rate of 62.5% was achieved. The faculty and residents agreed that temporal bone laboratory is indispensible for the training of cortical mastoidectomy. 60% of the participants agreed that VR simulator was beneficial for training of cortical mastoidectomy. The percentage agreement regarding the efficacy of VR simulator for each procedural task for cortical mastoidectomy varied from 45% to 60%. Conclusion: The VR simulation is perceived as a useful adjunct to the established model of practice on cadaveric temporal bones. However, validation of the VR simulator is required before it is incorporated in the training program.