Immersive reality for robotic surgical training: a pilot study using 3D visors for immersive view of the operating field

Immersive intracorporeal vision is a key feature of robotic surgery, limited today to only one trainee per operation when the dual console is available. We developed a tool that provides a virtually unlimited number of surgeons with the operator’s view, with the possibility to also watch the surgeon’s hand movements and the operating table. In this study, we aim to assess trainees’ reaction to this innovative training method. Medical students and surgery residents were offered an immersive experience with head-mounted devices, showing a didactic video in a 360° virtual space with 3D intracorporeal robotic vision, the surgeon’s hand movements and the surrounding operating room during a robotic rectal resection with total mesorectal excision. Subsequently, participants were asked to fill a questionnaire evaluating the user’s reaction to the new training tool including the validated System Usability Scale (SUS) and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), and non-validated questions. 102 participants took part in the training and the assessment questionnaires, 94 (92