Surgical simulation – Neurosurgery Blog

11/06/202610/06/2026

Ultra-Low-Cost Homemade Reusable Tumor Resection Model With Realistic Haptic Feedback and Photograph-Based Navigation for Neurosurgical Training

Operative Neurosurgery 30:958–970, 2026

This manuscript describes development and validation of an ultra-low-cost, reusable brain tumor resection simulator using slime, shaving foam, and phosphor powder to reproduce realistic haptic feedback and photograph-based navigation. The model was calibrated against fresh sheep brain using an electronic dynamometer and tested by ten neurosurgical trainees across three trials, showing improved resection times and accuracy.

The study reports statistical parity in force measurements with ex vivo tissue, high participant satisfaction scores across detection, resection, orientation, and confidence domains, and a material cost of approximately $22, highlighting scalability for resource-limited training environments.

Purpose: Ultra-low-cost, reusable brain tumor resection training model designed to provide realistic haptic feedback and photograph-based navigation for neurosurgical education, addressing cost/access limits of cadavers and high-fidelity simulators.

Brain parenchyma build: Pseudoparenchyma created by mixing slime with shaving foam to achieve tissue-like consistency, wrapped with plastic wrap to simulate the arachnoid layer.

Tumor + navigation: Tumor simulated using phosphor-powder–infused slime that glows in the dark; smartphone “night mode” photos (taken in darkness) provide a simple navigation/orientation system.

Haptic validation: Force-response testing with an electronic dynamometer showed no statistically significant difference between the model and fresh sheep brain across tested weight categories (P > .05).

Training protocol: 10 trainees performed 3 simulated resections over 3 weeks, with outcomes including resection time, tissue-removal accuracy, and survey-based feedback.

Performance gains: Across trials, participants had reduced resection times (P = .006) and improved tissue-removal precision (P < .05).

User evaluation: Participants reported high satisfaction with haptic realism, navigation, and usability (mean scores ~7.06–7.14), with acceptable-to-good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.78).

Cost & reuse: Materials total about $22 and the model is conservatively reusable for ≥10 full resections; excised slime tumor fragments can be reaggregated for reuse.

14/10/202013/10/2020

Neurosurgical simulator for training aneurysm microsurgery

Acta Neurochirurgica (2020) 162:2313–2321

Due to its complexity and to existing treatment alternatives, exposure to intracranial aneurysm microsurgery at the time of neurosurgical residency is limited. The current state of the art includes training methods like assisting in surgeries, operating under supervision, and video training. These approaches are labor-intensive and difficult to fit into a timetable limited by the new work regulations. Existing virtual reality (VR)–based training modules lack patient-specific exercises and haptic properties and are thus inferior to hands-on training sessions and exposure to real surgical procedures.

Materials and methods We developed a physical simulator able to reproduce the experience of clipping an intracranial aneurysm based on a patient-specific 3D-printed model of the skull, brain, and arteries. The simulator is made of materials that not only imitate tissue properties including arterial wall patency, thickness, and elasticity but also able to recreate a pulsatile blood flow. A sample group of 25 neurosurgeons and residents (n = 16: early residency with less than 4 years of neurosurgical exposure; n = 9: late residency and board-certified neurosurgeons, 4–15 years of neurosurgical exposure) took part to the study. Participants evaluated the simulator and were asked to answer questions about surgical simulation anatomy, realism, haptics, tactility, and general usage, scored on a 5-point Likert scale. In order to evaluate the feasibility of a future validation study on the role of the simulator in neurosurgical postgraduate training, an expert neurosurgeon assessed participants’ clipping performance and a comparison between groups was done.

Results The proposed simulator is reliable and potentially useful for training neurosurgical residents and board-certified neurosurgeons. A large majority of participants (84%) found it a better alternative than conventional neurosurgical training methods.

Conclusion The integration of a new surgical simulator including blood circulation and pulsatility should be considered as part of the future armamentarium of postgraduate education aimed to ensure high training standards for current and future generations of neurosurgeons involved in intracranial aneurysm surgery. Resident training ,Surgical simulation,Surgical education ,Microsurgery , Intracranial aneurysm , Neurosurgery

28/10/200927/10/2009

Three-dimensional simulation for aneurysm surgery

Neurosurgery 65:719–726, 2009 DOI: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000354350.88899.07

OBJECTIVE: With improvements in endovascular techniques, fewer aneurysms are treated by surgical clipping, and those aneurysms targeted for open surgery are often complex and difficult to treat. We devised a hollow, 3-dimensional (3D) model of individual cerebral aneurysms for preoperative simulation and surgical training. The methods and initial experience with this model system are presented.

METHODS:The 3D hollow aneurysm models of 3 retrospective and 8 prospective cases were made with a prototyping technique according to data from 3D computed tomographic angiograms of each patient. Commercially available titanium clips used in our routine surgery were applied, and the internal lumen was observed with an endoscope to confirm the patency of parent vessels. The actual surgery was performed later.

RESULTS: In the 8 prospective cases, the clips were applied during surgery in the same direction and configuration as in the preoperative simulation. Fine adjustments were necessary in each case, and 2 patients needed additional clips to occlude the atherosclerotic aneurysmal wall. With these 3D models, it was easy for neurosurgical trainees to grasp the vascular configuration and the concept of neck occlusion. Practicing surgery with these models also improved their handling of the instruments used during

aneurysm surgery, such as clips and appliers.

CONCLUSION: Using the hollow 3D models to simulate clipping preoperatively, we could treat the aneurysms confidently during live surgery. These models allow easy and concrete recognition of the 3D configuration of aneurysms and parent vessels.

Tag: Surgical simulation

Ultra-Low-Cost Homemade Reusable Tumor Resection Model With Realistic Haptic Feedback and Photograph-Based Navigation for Neurosurgical Training

Like this:

Neurosurgical simulator for training aneurysm microsurgery

Like this:

Three-dimensional simulation for aneurysm surgery

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: