Background Virtual reality (VR) as surgical training tool has become a state-of-the-art technique in training and teaching skills for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Although intuitively appealing, the true benefits of haptic (VR training) platforms are unknown. Many questions about haptic feedback in the different areas of surgical skills (training) need to be answered before adding costly haptic feedback in VR simulation for MIS training. This study was designed to review the current status and value of haptic feedback in conventional and robot-assisted MIS and training by using virtual reality simulation. Methods A systematic review of the literature was undertaken using PubMed and MEDLINE. The following search terms were used: Haptic feedback OR Haptics OR Force feedback AND/OR Minimal Invasive Surgery AND/ OR Minimal Access Surgery AND/OR Robotics AND/OR Robotic Surgery AND/OR Endoscopic Surgery AND/OR Virtual Reality AND/OR Simulation OR Surgical Training/ Education. Results The results were assessed according to level of evidence as reflected by the Oxford Centre of Evidencebased Medicine Levels of Evidence. Conclusions In the current literature, no firm consensus exists on the importance of haptic feedback in performing minimally invasive surgery. Although the majority of the results show positive assessment of the benefits of force feedback, results are ambivalent and not unanimous on the subject. Benefits are least disputed when related to surgery using robotics, because there is no haptic feedback in currently used robotics. The addition of haptics is believed to reduce surgical errors resulting from a lack of it, especially in knot tying. Little research has been performed in the area of robot-assisted endoscopic surgical training, but results seem promising. Concerning VR training, results indicate that haptic feedback is important during the early phase of psychomotor skill acquisition.

BackgroundThe number of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures treated surgically is increasing and plate fixation is often the treatment modality of choice. The study quality and scientific levels of evidence at which possible complications of this treatment are presented vary greatly in literature.PurposesThe purpose of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of complications concerning plate fixation of dislocated midshaft clavicle fractures.MethodsA computer-based search was carried out using EMBASE and PUBMED/MEDLINE. Studies included for review reported complications after plate fixation alone or in comparison to either treatment with intramedullary pin fixation and/or nonoperative treatment. Two quality assessment tools were used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Included studies were ranked according to their levels of evidence.ResultsAfter study selection and reading of the full texts, 11 studies were eligible for final quality assessment. Nonunion and malunion rates were less than 10% in all analysed studies but one. The vast majority of complications seem to be implant related, with irritation or failure of the plate being consistently reported on in almost every study, on average ranging from 9 to 64%.ConclusionThe quantity of relevant high evidence studies is low. With low nonunion and malunion rates, plate fixation can be a safe treatment option for acute dislocated midshaft clavicle fractures, but complications related to the implant material requiring a second operation are frequent. Future prospective trials are needed to analyse the influence of various plate types and plate position on implant-related complications.

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This meta-analysis of high-quality studies showed that surgical treatment of MCFs results in fewer nonunions, fewer malunions, and an accelerated return to work compared with nonsurgical treatment. A meta-analysis of surgical treatments need not be restricted to randomized trials, provided that the included observational studies are of high quality.