Measuring and developing suturing technique with a virtual reality surgical simulator11All authors, except Krummel, have an affiliation with Boston Dynamics Inc., an organization that has a financial interest in the editorial content discussed in the manuscript.

Abstract

Data indicate differences between surgeon and nonsurgeon performance and in improvement in performance with training. One possible explanation for the superior performance of the surgeons is that their suturing skills applied well to the simulated suturing task. Additional research is required to confirm or deny the similarity between actual and simulated surgical tasks and the relevance of virtual reality surgical simulation to surgical skill assessment and training.