Telesimulation in Neurosurgical Education for Advancement of Technical Training, Facilitation of Worldwide Neurosurgical Communication and Improvement of Patient Care

Introduction: Neurosurgery is a continuously evolving field with a trend toward minimally invasive techniques. While many of these skills are not taught during residency, peer to peer teaching assist with learning these techniques. However, limitations include that experts in the field are spread out throughout the world. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a telecommunications movement in which technology companies have enhanced their audio and visual capabilities to allow individuals worldwide to communicate seamlessly. We propose an economic solution through telesimulation to bring neurosurgeons together.

Methods: We incorporated a video recording device, GoPro, into our previously innovated 3D-printed surgical simulations, such as the endoscopic discectomy. With the GoPro camera, we can connect in real-time using Zoom to students, residents, and surgeons from around the world. Zoom allows for multi-views of the simulation procedure: through the GoPro surgeon’s view of the procedure can be visualized, and through a computer built-in camera the surgeon’s hands or face can be visualized. With this, users can communicate, teach, and collaborate with other users while doing the simulation without geographic limitations. The estimated cost of the entire setup is less than $1K.

Results: We have successfully utilized these upgrades to augment surgical teaching to occur virtually. With telesimulation, we offer an opportunity for surgeons to refine and improve their surgical skills through a portable, reusable, and cost-effective simulation box while also connecting and collaborating with other surgeons through a virtual platform.

Conclusion : Telesimulation offers a flexible, interactive aspect to the continuing education of neurosurgeons, which currently entails mostly lectures, symposiums, and workshops. This innovation of telesimulation, in conjunction with the simulation box, gives surgeons easily accessible tools for ongoing training to improve their operative skills while breaking down the physical barrier of distance with the opportunity to learn and teach other colleagues locally or around the globe.