Preoperative preparation for otologic surgery: temporal bone simulation.

Abstract

The field of temporal bone simulation (TBS) has largely focused on the development and validation of simulators as training and assessment tools. As technology has progressed over the years, researchers have, however, envisioned new clinical applications for simulators extending to preoperative surgical planning and case rehearsal. The purpose of this article was to review the current state of the art in TBS and to highlight recent advancements in the field. Because of space limitations, we will limit our discussion to computer-based virtual reality simulators. A review of the recent literature on TBS revealed very limited application of virtual reality simulators for preoperative preparation. Current evidence suggests limitations in fidelity preclude successful patient-specific case rehearsal using virtual reality simulation. Further investigation and clinical evaluation are required to validate its use outside of training and skill assessment. This article provides an overview of the current use of virtual reality simulators with emphasis on preoperative planning. We evaluate the limitations of the technology, and discuss potential areas of improvement for the future. More studies are necessary to assess the value of virtual reality simulation for preoperative preparation.