The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality Training in Thyroid Surgery

Launched by G.GENNIMATAS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Apr 1, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) training for residents learning thyroid surgery. The main goal is to see if training with VR can help residents become better surgeons compared to traditional learning methods, like using a textbook. The trial will involve general surgery residents from the 2nd Surgical Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki who have completed their first year of training. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the VR training group or a control group that uses traditional learning techniques.

Participants can expect to learn specific surgical steps, including making neck incisions and placing electrodes, while being assessed by an experienced surgeon. They will also fill out questionnaires to share their thoughts on the training experience. It’s important to note that residents with certain health restrictions or complex thyroid conditions will not be eligible for the trial. The study aims to improve surgical education and potentially enhance the skills of future surgeons.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Residents of the 2nd Surgical Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• • Residents who have completed their 1st year of training programm.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Disagreement of participants' randomisation
• • Prolonged surgical time of completion
• • Participant's experience beyond the included limits
• • Participants who are completely incapable of using VR devices or have specific helath restrictions of using these
• • Patients with complex thyroid disease such as recurrent disease, concominant primary hyperparathyroidism, lymph node disease or metastasis, Graves disease and intrathoracic goiter