"Cut-it"- Virtual Surgical Training Game

Cut-It is a serious, 3D game that simulates real-life trauma situations in a theatre setting to teach hands-on surgical skills.

This application will teach vascular exposures in trauma to surgeons in training and surgeons not confronted with regular vascular repairs.  It will be a 3D simulation game that trains the user to manage vascular trauma, from presentation to the Emergency department, up to discharge from hospital.  

Players, surgeons, will be assessed on decision making, anatomical knowledge and operating skills.  With further development, the project will grow to include all surgical emergencies due to trauma.

Cut-It is a serious, 3D game application that simulates real-life trauma situations in a theatre setting to teach procedures and hands-on surgical skills. The program will integrate anatomical modelling, radiology and intra-operative simulation to enhance learning. 

The 3D, desktop application, runs on Windows and MAC, integrates with a depth sensing camera like Intel Realsense or Leap Motion to enable hands-on interaction and input control of the game. The depth sensing camera is a cheaper alternative, with prices ranging from $80 - $120, compared to VR headsets but provides the same quality hands-on interaction and experience as VR headsets.

We also are developing built-in analytics that objectively measure surgical performance. The simulation will score based on accuracy and risk avoidance ( e.g, appreciation of critical structures such as adjacent nerves, tendons, appropriateness of intervention relative to the scenario and responsiveness to the evolving clinical situation)

• Decision making and re-evaluation of real time data for the best possible patient outcome

• Operating under pressure while the patient is bleeding.

• Anatomical knowledge and relation of structures to isolate blood vessels and repair them efficiently without loss of life or limb.

• Use of correct instruments and suture materials during vascular surgery.

Trauma affects all communities and the need for this surgical simulation will be greatest in regions where trauma is less readily encountered.  This is an essential global skill for all surgeons who will be faced with a bleeding trauma patient.

The tool is suitable for:

• teaching novice surgeons

• as part of situational awareness training for emergency simulations to augment training

• as part of task shifting i.e can be used to teach clinical officers, emergency doctors, advanced nurse practitioners the core skills for emergency procedures which they may need to perform if they have a remote posting or if they may be the first responders

This application is aimed to improve the skills of any surgeon dealing with trauma.  The module will enhance learning in a simulated environment for key emergency skills as well as improve situational awareness  and clinical judgement through simulated practice.. It can be used to replace or be an adjunct to refresher courses for trauma which would be ideal for clinicians in a remote setting or if the nearest training centre is not in their region of practice. From the surgeon in training, to the experienced surgeon who doesn’t encounter vascular trauma regularly. The surgeons involved in this project are working in training facilities and are in constant contact with surgical trainees.  The module will be tested by the surgeons and some trainees as the system develops.  

Dr Christien Steenkamp (Educator and Clinician)

Dr Beverly Cheserem (Educator and Clinician)

Job Oyebisi (Solution Architect, Product Manager and Entrepreneur)

Victor Oluwaleye (3D Artist and Game Developer)

Oghenetega Ochukome (Game Developer and Interaction Designer)

Emmanuel Onafeso (3D Artist and UI/UX Designer)

Ahira Adefokun (Devops, Desktop and Backend Engineer)

Medical Educators and Clinicians 

Game and Simulation Developers

Application Developers