GAuze-MIcrosuture-FICATION: Gamification in Microsuture training with real-time feedback

Yuka Tashiro, Shio Miyafuji, Dong-Hyun Hwang, Satoshi Kiyofuji, Taichi Kin, Takeo Igarashi, Hideki Koike

Abstract: Microscopic suturing in neurosurgery is a challenging medical technique that requires time to master. Since skilled surgeons are too busy to spend much time with novice surgeons, novice surgeons need to train alone in monotonous tasks to acquire skills. To address this problem, this study proposes a system that incorporates gamification elements, such as scoring and displaying real-time feedback, to improve motivation for training. This system detects the technical factors necessary for microscopic suturing from video capture, and calculates a score using these factors. According to neurosurgeons, suturing has three important factors: speed, accuracy, and carefulness. These technical factors are detected by tracking instruments and gauze using machine learning and image processing. The experiment was conducted with ten novices using this system. The results of this experiment showed that the system is easy to use and contributed to increased motivation, according to the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) and System Usability Scale (SUS).