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Neurosurgical Anatomy and Approaches to Simulation in Neurosurgical Training

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Comprehensive Healthcare Simulation: Neurosurgery

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Abstract

Quality of neurosurgical care and patient outcomes are inextricably linked to surgical and technical proficiency and a thorough working knowledge of microsurgical anatomy. Simulated neurosurgical training is essential for the development and refinement of technical skills prior to their use on a living patient. Recent biotechnological advances—including 3D microscopy and endoscopy, 3D printing, virtual reality, surgical simulation, surgical robotics, and advanced neuroimaging—have proved to reduce the learning curve, improve conceptual understanding of complex anatomy, and enhance visuospatial skills in neurosurgical training. For developing neurosurgeons, such tools can reduce the learning curve, improve conceptual understanding of complex anatomy, and enhance visuospatial skills. We explore the current and future roles and application of virtual reality and simulation in neurosurgical training.

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Abbreviations

2D:

Two-dimensional

3D:

Three-dimensional

6D:

6 Degrees

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

AR:

Augmented reality

ARAI:

Augmented reality and artificial intelligence

CTA:

Computed tomography angiography

FA:

Fractional anisotropy

fMR:

Functional magnetic resonance

HMDs:

Head-mounted displays

MRA:

Magnetic resonance angiography

OM:

Operating microscope

OR:

Operating room

RGB:

Red green blue

SSML:

Simulation markup language

VR:

Virtual reality

VTK:

Visualization tool kit

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Weill Cornell Medicine, Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Antonio Bernardo & Alexander I. Evins

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  1. Antonio Bernardo
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  2. Alexander I. Evins
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Correspondence to Antonio Bernardo .

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  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, Chicago, IL, USA

    Ali Alaraj

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Bernardo, A., Evins, A.I. (2018). Neurosurgical Anatomy and Approaches to Simulation in Neurosurgical Training. In: Alaraj, A. (eds) Comprehensive Healthcare Simulation: Neurosurgery. Comprehensive Healthcare Simulation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-75583-0_17

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