Virtual reality for dermatologic surgery: Virtually a reality in the 21st century

In the 20th century, virtual reality has predominantly played a role in tra ining pilots and in the entertainment industry. Despite much publicity, vir tual reality did not live up to its perceived potential. During the past de cade, it has also been applied for medical uses, particularly as training s imulators, for minimally invasive surgery. Because of advances in computer technology, virtual reality is on the cusp of becoming an effective medical educational tool. At the University of Washington, we are developing a vir tual reality soft tissue surgery simulator. Based on fast finite element mo deling and using a personal computer, this device can simulate three-dimens ional human skin deformations with real-time tactile feedback. Although the re are many cutaneous biomechanical challenges to solve, it will eventually provide more realistic dermatologic surgery training for medical students and residents than the currently used models.