Current applications and development strategies of metaverse innovation models in otolaryngology clinical practice and education

With the advancement of metaverse technology and the successful commercialization of head-mounted displays, the application prospects of the metaverse in medical education are increasingly prominent. This article systematically reviews the latest advancements in the application of the metaverse in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, and proposes ideas for specialty construction. VR surgical simulators, 3D printing combined with VR technology, can significantly improve trainee assessment scores and operational confidence, optimizing hand-eye coordination and spatial perception abilities. AR microscope systems enable contactless interaction through gesture recognition, enhancing surgical efficiency. AR navigation platforms demonstrate real-time 3D visualization advantages in craniofacial surgery, and VR and 360° video training effectively improve the anterior nares packing skills of junior doctors. VR-assisted teaching for peritonsillar abscess drainage significantly enhances medical students' structured clinical examination scores, operational confidence, and engagement. Integrating 3D virtual models and image overlay technology in transoral robotic surgery provides practical value for image-guided surgery. VR technology can effectively alleviate pain and anxiety in patients undergoing otolaryngological surgery, improve satisfaction, and serve as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce opioid use. VR combined with wearable devices can reduce postoperative opioid consumption, and VR vestibular rehabilitation training can enhance treatment compliance and quality of life for patients with otolith disorders. VR has become an innovative component of ENT digital teaching, demonstrating equivalent or even superior effects compared to traditional methods in anatomy, physiology, and pathology teaching. Based on these advancements, this article proposes the idea of relying on the "Fudan Zhongshan Huisheng Zhiyu" metaverse platform to build a specialized teaching system for otolaryngology: constructing high-fidelity 3D digital twin models and a structured case resource library, forming a tiered training path covering institutional education, post-graduation education, and continuing medical education, promoting the dissemination and sharing of high-quality teaching resources, and driving the innovative development of otolaryngology medical education in China.

Key Words: full-cycle medical education; training and management; Fudan Zhongshan Huisheng Zhiyu; metaverse platform; virtual reality