Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c47g7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T14:31:59.802Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A virtual-reality subtotal tonsillectomy simulator

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2012

G S Ruthenbeck ,
S B Tan ,
A S Carney ,
J C Hobson  and
K J Reynolds
G S Ruthenbeck
Affiliation:
School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
S B Tan
Affiliation:
Flinders ENT, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
A S Carney*
Affiliation:
Flinders ENT, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
J C Hobson
Affiliation:
Flinders ENT, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
K J Reynolds
Affiliation:
School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Prof A Simon Carney, Flinders ENT, Flinders Private Hospital, Suite 200, Bedford Park, SA 5042Australia Fax: +61 8 82770288 E-mail: simoncarney@me.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives:

To develop a virtual-reality subtotal tonsillectomy simulation for surgical training.

Materials and Methods:

Computer models of a male patient's head and throat, and the surgical instrument, were created. These models were combined with custom-built simulation software. Recently developed tissue simulation technology that exploits recent developments in programmable graphics processing units was used to model tonsillar tissue in a way that allows surgical interaction whilst providing accurate tactile feedback. Current real-time rendering techniques were used to provide realistic visuals. Iterative refinements were made to the simulation, and in particular the tissue simulation, in consultation with relevantly experienced surgeons.

Results:

We have used newly developed tissue simulation technology to developed a novel virtual-reality subtotal tonsillectomy simulation for surgical training, the first of its kind.

Conclusion:

Early feedback suggests that this simulator can help surgeons to rapidly acquire subtotal tonsillectomy surgical skills in a risk-free and realistic virtual environment.

Keywords

Computer SimulationTonsillectomyTactile
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Supplement S2 , July 2012 , pp. S8 - S13
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Presented at Frontiers 2010 – the Art, Science and Future of Otorhinolaryngology, 28 July 2010, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and at the 14th ASEAN ORL Head and Neck Congress 2011, 12 May 2011, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

References

1Carney, AS, Harris, PK, McFarlane, PL, Nasser, S, Esterman, A. The Coblation tonsillectomy learning curve. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2008;138:149–52CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Hultcrantz, E, Linder, A, Markstrom, A. Long-term effects of intracapsular partial tonsillectomy (tonsillotomy) compared with full tonsillectomy. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2005;69:463–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Koltai, PJ, Solares, CA, Koempel, JA, Hirose, K, Adelson, TI, Krakovitz, PR et al. Intracapsular tonsillar reduction (partial tonsillectomy): reviving a historical procedure for obstructive sleep disordered breathing in children. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;129:532–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Koltai, PJ. Powered intracapsular tonsillectomy: for paediatric tonsillar hypertrophy. International Congress Series 2003;1257:41–5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Ruthenbeck, GS. “Interactive Soft Tissue for Surgical Simulation” Flinders University. Web. 15 Jul. 2011. http://theses.flinders.edu.au/uploads/approved/adt-SFU20110127.130155/public/02whole.pdfGoogle Scholar
6Solyar, A, Cuellar, H, Sadoughi, B, Olson, TR, Fried, MP. Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Simulator as a teaching tool for anatomy education. Am J Surg 2008;196:120–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Fried, MP, Sadoughi, B, Weghorst, SJ, Zeltsan, M, Cuellar, H, Uribe, JI et al. Construct validity of the Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Simulator II. Assessment of discriminant validity and expert benchmarking. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;133:350–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8O'Leary, SJ, Hutchins, MA, Stevenson, DR, Gunn, C, Krumpholz, A, Kennedy, G et al. Validation of a networked virtual reality simulation of temporal bone surgery. Laryngoscope 2008;118:1040–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Fried, MP, Sadoughi, B, Gibber, MJ, Jacobs, JB, Lebowitz, RA, Ross, DA et al. From virtual reality to the operating room: the endoscopic sinus surgery simulator experiment. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;142:202–7Google Scholar
10Wiet, GJ, Stredney, D, Sessanna, D, Bryan, JA, Welling, DB, Schmalbrock, P. Virtual temporal bone dissection: an interactive surgical simulator. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;127:79–83CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Ericsson, KA, Krampe, RT, Tesche-Romer, C. The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review 1993;100:363–406CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12Watson, DR, Flesher, TD, Ruiz, O, Chung, JS. Impact of the 80-hour workweek on surgical case exposure within a general surgery residency program. Journal of Surgical Education 2010;67:283–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Reznick, RK, MacRae, H. Teaching surgical skills — changes in the wind. N Engl J Med 2006;355:2664–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Fitts, PM, Posner, MI. Human Performance. Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole, 1967Google Scholar
15Masters, RSW, Poolton, JM, Abernethy, B, Patil, NG. Implicit learning of movement skills for surgery. A N Z J Surg 2008;78:1062–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed