A review of haptic simulator for oral and maxillofacial surgery based on virtual reality.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional medical training in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) may be limited by its low efficiency and high price due to the shortage of cadaver resources. With the combination of visual rendering and feedback force, surgery simulators become increasingly popular in hospitals and medical schools as an alternative to the traditional training. AREAS COVERED: The major goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive reference source of current and future developments of haptic OMFS simulators based on virtual reality (VR) for relevant researchers. EXPERT COMMENTARY: Visual rendering, haptic rendering, tissue deformation, and evaluation are key components of haptic surgery simulator based on VR. Compared with traditional medical training, virtual and tactical fusion of virtual environment in surgery simulator enables considerably vivid sensation, and the operators have more opportunities to practice surgical skills and receive objective evaluation as reference.