High definition three-dimensional exoscope (VITOM 3D) for microsurgery training: a preliminary experience.

[PURPOSE] To assess the feasibility of a high definition 3D exoscope (VITOM) for microsurgery training in a cohort of naïve medical students.

[METHODS] Twenty-two consecutive medical students performed a battery of four exercises assessing basic microsurgical skills. The students were randomized in two different groups based on two different VITOM holding systems (VERSACRANE™ and ARTip™ cruise). Participants self-reported the VITOM system quality on a 4-point Likert scale (VITOM Quality Assessment Tool). The time needed to complete the exercises was analyzed.

[RESULTS] All students successfully completed the training, and no technical issues were raised during the simulation. The majority of the individual items were judged "good" or "very good" (n = 187; 94.4%), regardless of the two groups. "Image quality" (n = 21; 95%), "magnification rate" (n = 20; 91%), "stereoscopic effect" (n = 19; 86%), and "focusing" (n = 18; 82%) represented the best-rated items. No statistically significant difference between the two groups was measured in almost all items of the VITOM Quality Assessment Tool (p > 0.05). The time needed to perform each exercise showed a statistically significant difference between groups in two tests (p < 0.05).

[CONCLUSION] This study demonstrated the feasibility of a VITOM-based microsurgery training. The students' subjective assessment of the VITOM 3D system was promising in terms of technological quality and technical feasibility. Further studies are recommended to define which VITOM holding system could be more appropriate for microsurgery training.