Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40312147›Full record

ArticlePrenatal diagnosis2025

Virtual Reality Simulation in Teaching Fetoscopic Laser Placental Photocoagulation in Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

Catherine Windrim, Colin Charleson, David Rojas Gualdron, Alvaro Quevedo, Lara Gotha, Tim Van Mieghem, Greg Ryan, Rory Windrim

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Prenatal diagnosis, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Catherine WindrimOntario Fetal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Colin CharlesonOntario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada.
David Rojas GualdronDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Alvaro QuevedoOntario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada.
Lara GothaOntario Fetal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Tim Van MieghemOntario Fetal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-3034-6905
Greg RyanOntario Fetal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
Rory WindrimOntario Fetal Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3009-0353

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo develop and validate a novel virtual reality (VR) simulation system for training fetoscopic laser placental photocoagulation in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

methodsA VR-based simulator incorporating Meta Quest headsets and custom-designed hardware was developed. The system features realistic anatomical modeling, integrated performance metrics, and progressive training modules. Validation involved 31 participants (11 experienced fetal therapy specialists, 10 fetal therapy fellows, and 10 other maternal-fetal medicine specialists) who evaluated the simulator across five domains using a standardized questionnaire.

resultsThe simulator demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92) with strong positive validation across all measured aspects. Training effectiveness received the highest endorsement (87%, 95% CI: 83%-91%), followed by user engagement (85%, 95% CI: 81%-89%). Experienced specialists rated environmental realism significantly higher (4.8 ± 0.3, p = 0.002), while fellows provided the strongest endorsement for training effectiveness (4.8 ± 0.3, p = 0.004).

conclusionsThis VR simulator represents a significant advancement in TTTS surgical education, offering comprehensive training capabilities without requiring practice on actual patients. Initial testing demonstrates feasibility for both local and remote teaching applications, with potential advantages in cost, portability, and educational capabilities compared to traditional physical simulators.

Indexed as

Fetofetal TransfusionFetoscopyLaser CoagulationSimulation TrainingVirtual RealityAdultFemaleHumansPregnancy

Identifiers

PMID40312147
PMCPMC12137030

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.