{
  "abstract": "Background: Virtual reality (VR) and dry lab (DL) platforms are widely used for robotic surgery training, yet their comparative effectiveness remains uncertain, particularly for suturing skills.\n\nMethods: A systematic review of controlled studies comparing VR with physical robotic simulation was conducted; meta-analysis was restricted to VR versus DL studies. PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched. The primary outcome was post-training technical performance; task completion time was secondary. Pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) with 95% CI were calculated using random-effects models.\n\nResults: Ten studies (333 trainees) were included in the qualitative synthesis, and six (168 participants) in the quantitative analysis. DL training showed significantly higher post-test technical performance (SMD – 0.43; 95% CI – 0.74 to – 0.12). In RCTs (n = 89), the difference was not significant (SMD – 0.15; 95% CI – 0.57 to 0.27). Fixed-time curricula favored DL (SMD – 0.51; 95% CI – 0.96 to – 0.05), whereas proficiency-based progression showed no difference. Task completion time was similar between modalities (MD 0.14; 95% CI – 0.43 to 0.70).\n\nConclusions: DL training was associated with higher post-test technical performance overall, but not in the RCT-only analysis; task completion time was similar between modalities. Both approaches may have complementary roles depending on curriculum, task, and trainee characteristics.\n\nGraphical abstract:\n\nSupplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-026-13459-0.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Surgery, Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX USA",
    "Simulation Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX USA",
    "Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390 USA"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 12,
  "authors": [
    {
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        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Samy Castillo-Flores"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ricardo E. Nunez-Rocha"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Andres A. Abreu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zachary A. Whitham"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Gilbert Z. Murimwa"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Morgan F. Pettigrew"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ofelia Negrete-Vasquez"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ganesh Sankaranarayanan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Angela A. Guzzetta"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Daniel J. Scott"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Herbert J. Zeh"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Patricio M. Polanco",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1719-1208"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ctgb5fbvr9xpf.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1007/s00464-026-13459-0",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13755066/",
  "id": "ctgb5fbvr9xpf",
  "issns": [
    "0930-2794",
    "1432-2218"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-026-13459-0",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Review Article"
    ],
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      "openalex",
      "2746|Surgical Simulation and Training"
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  "openalex": "W7220977884",
  "pdf_url": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00464-026-13459-0.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13755066",
  "pmid": "42850301",
  "published": "2026-10-08",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ctgb5fbvr9xpf.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-15T12:23:57Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13755066",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-026-13459-0"
    }
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2746|Surgical Simulation and Training",
      "subfield": "surgery"
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  "title": "Effect of virtual reality versus dry lab training on technical skills in robotic surgical simulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "title_text": "Effect of virtual reality versus dry lab training on technical skills in robotic surgical simulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-15T12:23:57Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/ctgb5fbvr9xpf",
  "venue": "Surgical Endoscopy",
  "versions": []
}