VR-trained trainees show shorter screw penetration distances and fewer displaced screws per resident¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? VR training significantly reduced screw penetration distance (MD −1.07 mm) and the number of displaced screws per resident (MD −2.31). → Pasqualotto Eric 2026

Evidence¶

Pasqualotto Eric 2026¶

Pasqualotto Eric, Pasqualotto Tales, Lopes Victor Hugo Pinheiro, Lunelli Laura, Santos Lucas Loiola. (2026). Virtual reality surgical simulator training of residents and early-career surgeons for pedicle screw placement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-026-05008-1

q3 · i? · quant-synthesis · r2

Pooled continuous outcomes from six RCTs: screw penetration distance "MD − 1.07 mm" (I2 = 11%) and displaced screws per resident "MD − 2.31 screws" (I2 = 26%), both favouring VR training with p < 0.01. Both outcomes were rated low-certainty by GRADE.

"there were a significant reduction in screw penetration distances (MD − 1.07 mm; 95% CI − 1.18 to − 0.96; p < 0.01; I2 = 11%; Fig. 3B) and fewer displaced screws per resident (MD − 2.31 screws; 95% CI − 3.15 to − 1.47; p < 0.01; I2 = 26%)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• VR simulator training yields a higher rate of optimal (Grade I) pedicle screw placement than traditional training among residents and early-career surgeons — related
• VR simulator training improves overall pedicle screw placement success relative to traditional training — related
• VR simulator training reduces minor cortical breaches (Grade II placements) in pedicle screw insertion — related
• High authenticity simulations show higher effects than low authenticity simulations — a broader claim this one bears on
• VR simulation training improves orthopaedic trainees' technical proficiency and shortens operative times — a broader claim this one bears on
• In thyroid surgery training, simulation and virtual-reality training improved technical performance and task completion time, and simulators were rated as realistic — related