Immersive Virtual Reality for Surgical Training: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Immersive virtual reality (iVR) simulators provide accessible, low cost, realistic training adjuncts in time and financially constrained systems. With increasing evidence and utilization of this technology by training programs, clarity on the effect of global skill training should be provided. This systematic review examines the current literature on the effectiveness of iVR for surgical skills acquisition in medical students, residents, and staff surgeons. METHODS: A literature search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and PsycInfo for primary studies published between January 1, 2000 and January 26, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, extracted data, and assessed quality and strength of evidence using the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument (MERSQI) and Cochrane methodology. Results were qualitatively synthesized, and descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 9650 citations, with 17 articles included for qualitative synthesis. The mean (SD) MERSQI score was 11.7 (1.9) out of 18. In total, 307 participants completed training in four disciplines. Immersive VR-trained groups performed 18% to 43% faster on procedural time to completion compared to control (pooled standardized mean difference = -0.90 [95% CI=-1.33 to -047, I2=1%, P < 0.0001]). Immersive VR trainees also demonstrated greater post-intervention scores on procedural checklists and greater implant placement accuracy compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: Immersive VR incorporation into surgical training programs is supported by high-quality, albeit heterogeneous, studies demonstrating improved procedural times, task completion, and accuracy, positive user ratings, and cost-effectiveness.

Decreased Glenoid Retroversion Is a Risk Factor for Failure of Primary Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in Individuals With Subcritical Bone Loss Versus No Bone Loss.

PURPOSE: To determine whether glenoid retroversion is an independent risk factor for failure after arthroscopic Bankart repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up. In part 1 of the study, individuals with no glenoid bone loss on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and who failed arthroscopic Bankart repair (cases) were compared with individuals who did not fail Bankart repair (controls). In part 2 of the study, cases with subcritical (<20%) glenoid bone loss as measured on sagittal T1 MRI sequences who failed arthroscopic Bankart repair were compared with controls who did not. For each part of the study, glenoid version was measured using axial T2 MRI sequences. Positive angular measurements were designated to represent glenoid anteversion, whereas negative measurements were designated to represent glenoid retroversion. Independent t tests were conducted to determine the association between glenoid version and failure after arthroscopic Bankart repair. RESULTS: There were 20 cases and 40 controls in part 1 of the study. In part 2, there were 19 cases and 21 controls. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between cases and controls. Among individuals with no glenoid bone loss, there was no difference in glenoid version between cases and controls (cases: 6.0° ± 8.1° vs controls: 5.1° ± 7.8°, P = .22). Among individuals with subcritical bone loss, cases (3.8° ± 4.4°) were associated with significantly less mean retroversion compared with controls (7.1° ± 2.8°, P = .0085). Decreased retroversion (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval 1.05-1.72, P = 20) was a significant independent predictor of failure using univariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: While glenoid retroversion is not associated with failure after arthroscopic Bankart repair in individuals with no glenoid bone loss, decreased retroversion is associated with failure in individuals with subcritical bone loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3: Retrospective review.

Does an Increased Critical Shoulder Angle Affect Re-tear Rates and Clinical Outcomes Following Primary Rotator Cuff Repair? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To determine if an increased critical shoulder angle (CSA) predisposes patients to higher re-tear rates and worse clinical outcomes after rotator cuff (RC) repair. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases was performed in October 2018 for English-language studies pertaining to RC repair and an increased CSA in accordance with Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Studies of all levels of evidence were included provided that any outcomes, including pain, patient-reported outcomes, and re-tear rates, were reported. RESULTS: Of a group of 1126 studies that satisfied the initial search criteria, 6 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising data from 473 patients. Three comparative studies were assessed for an association between increased CSA and RC re-tear rates. Among these 3 studies that compared RC re-tear rate in patients with larger and smaller CSAs, 22 of 97 patients (23%) with a larger CSA had a RC re-tear in comparison to 10 of 99 patients (10%) with a smaller CSA. All 3 studies demonstrated higher RC re-tear rates in patients with larger CSAs (risk ratio, 2.39-9.66, I2 = 7%.) The mean CSA in those patients who did not have RC re-tears ranged from 34.3° to 37°, and the mean CSA in those patients who had RC re-tears ranged from 37° to 40°. CONCLUSION: RC re-tear rates were higher in patients with larger CSAs among comparative, nonrandomized studies. However, the heterogeneity of the relevant literature limits the strength of his observation. Based on the current literature, it remains unclear as to whether lateral acromioplasty affects clinical outcomes as a function of a reduced postoperative CSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review of Level II to IV studies.

A Historical Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review was to comprehensively assess the quality of reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relating to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Specifically, this review explored factors related to the quality of the RCTs and trends in the quality of reporting over time. METHODS: The online databases PubMed, Ovid (MEDLINE), and Embase were used to search for all RCTs on the topic of ACL reconstruction from database inception until April 14, 2016. The quality of reporting was evaluated using the Detsky quality index and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist for reporting trials of nonpharmacologic treatments. A multivariate regression analysis was used to assess predictors of quality reporting. RESULTS: The online search yielded 2,933 articles, 412 of which met the inclusion criteria and were assessed for quality of reporting. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in the number of RCTs published over time. The mean Detsky score (and standard deviation) across all included RCTs was 68.9% ± 13.2%. The strongest predictors of quality reporting were the inclusion of a CONSORT flow diagram (ß-coefficient, 10.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.45 to 11.61; p < 0.0001) and being published in the year 2009 or later (ß-coefficient, 5.2; 95% CI: 3.87 to 6.45; p < 0.0001). The factors demonstrating the greatest improvement over time were the inclusion of a full description of the randomization procedure (p = 0.001) and prospective calculation of the sample size (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: There has been a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of RCTs relating to ACL reconstruction over time. Specifically, the reporting of a methodologically sound randomization process and prospective calculation of sample size have significantly improved in recent years. However, since the year 2009, the number of trials and reporting in these trials has remained relatively consistent. The use of a CONSORT flow diagram is a strong predictor of high-quality reporting.