• Ahmed Shaaban, Salem M Tos, Georgios Mantziaris, Jorge Rios-Zermeno, Joao Paulo Almeida, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, and Jason P Sheehan.
• Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
• World Neurosurg. 2024 Oct 1; 190: e137e143e137-e143.

BackgroundOver the last decade, simulation models have been increasingly applied as an adjunct for surgical training in neurosurgery. We aim through a practical course at a national neurosurgical conference to evaluate 3D non-cadaveric simulation models along with augmented reality for learning and practicing the pterional craniotomy approach among a wide variety of participants including medical students, neurosurgery residents, and attending neurosurgeons.MethodsOur course was conducted during an international neurosurgery meeting with 93 participants but the course surveys (pre- and post-course) were completed by 42 participants.ResultsMost participants were medical students (31; 73.8%). Participants with no experience (the majority) in cadaver lab dissections, craniotomy as first operator, and as second operator represented 12 (27.9%), 29 (69%), and 22 (52.4%), respectively. Participants with moderate experience in cadaver lab dissections were 23 (53.5%). Post-course survey respondents noted positive feedback in most items queried including enhancement of familiarity and acquiring skills, confidence with neurosurgery instruments, confidence with microscope, part of standard training, traditional training, and lifelong training.ConclusionsSimulation model combining augmented reality with physical simulation for hybrid experience can be a promising and valuable tool especially for medical students or early career neurosurgical residents.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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