VRSpineSim: Applying Educational Aids Within A Virtual Reality Spine Surgery Simulator

We contribute VRSpineSim, a stereoscopic virtual reality surgery simulator that allows novice surgeons to learn and experiment with a spinal pedicle screw insertion (PSI) procedure using simplified interaction capabilities and 3D haptic user interfaces. By collaborating with medical experts and following an iterative approach, we provide characterization of the PSI task, and derive requirements for the design of a 3D immersive interactive simulation system. We present how these requirements were realized in our prototype and outline its educational benefits for training the PSI procedure. We conclude with the results of a preliminary evaluation of VRSpineSim and reflect on our interface benefits and limitations for future relevant research efforts.