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Virtual reality meets ENT: a low-cost high-fidelity teaching course for peritonsillar abscess drainage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2025

Maisie McCormick Open the ORCID record for Maisie McCormick [Opens in a new window] ,
Lavandan Jegatheeswaran Open the ORCID record for Lavandan Jegatheeswaran [Opens in a new window] ,
Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam Open the ORCID record for Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam [Opens in a new window]  and
Dheeraj Karamchandani Open the ORCID record for Dheeraj Karamchandani [Opens in a new window]
Maisie McCormick
Affiliation:
Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
Lavandan Jegatheeswaran*
Affiliation:
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, Warwick, UK
Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam
Affiliation:
Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
Dheeraj Karamchandani
Affiliation:
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK
*
Corresponding author: Lavandan Jegatheeswaran; Email: lavandan.jegatheeswaran@nhs.net
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Abstract

Background

This pilot randomised controlled trial evaluated virtual reality as a supplementary teaching tool for peritonsillar abscess drainage among third year medical students.

Methods

Twenty students were randomised to virtual reality-based or traditional teaching, each receiving a 90-minute session followed by an objective structured clinical examination and pre-/post-session knowledge tests. The virtual reality group used HTC Vive Focus 3 headsets with Virti, 3D Organon and EXR platforms.

Results

The virtual reality group scored higher in objective structured clinical examinations (26.9 vs. 21.5; p = 0.005) and reported greater procedural confidence (p = 0.008) and engagement (p = 0.003). Both groups improved knowledge (p < 0.001) without significant difference post-session (p = 0.701). Virtual reality was rated highly for effectiveness (9.6/10) and immersion (8.5/10) and had minimal cybersickness (1.8/10).

Conclusion

Virtual reality significantly enhances procedural confidence and performance. Its immersive format supports integration into surgical education, warranting further validation in larger studies.

Keywords

medical educationotolaryngologyperitonsillar abscesssimulation trainingvirtual reality

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 139 , Issue 10 , October 2025 , pp. 990 - 995
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Lavandan Jegatheeswaran takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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