Virtual operating room for team training in surgery

• We created a virtual reality (VR) operating room and simulated a surgical crisis scenario.
• Construct and face validity of the VR environment were demonstrated.
• Creation of a VR-based operating room for team training in surgery is feasible and can afford a realistic team training environment.
• Further development of the VR environment is necessary to increase the robustness of the simulation.

BackgroundWe proposed to develop a novel virtual reality (VR) team training system. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of creating a VR operating room to simulate a surgical crisis scenario and evaluate the simulator for construct and face validity.MethodsWe modified ICE STORM (Integrated Clinical Environment; Systems, Training, Operations, Research, Methods), a VR-based system capable of modeling a variety of health care personnel and environments. ICE STORM was used to simulate a standardized surgical crisis scenario, whereby participants needed to correct 4 elements responsible for loss of laparoscopic visualization. The construct and face validity of the environment were measured.ResultsThirty-three participants completed the VR simulation. Attendings completed the simulation in less time than trainees (271 vs 201 seconds, P = .032). Participants felt the training environment was realistic and had a favorable impression of the simulation. All participants felt the workload of the simulation was low.ConclusionsCreation of a VR-based operating room for team training in surgery is feasible and can afford a realistic team training environment.