Background: Virtual reality has been used to alleviate pain and anxiety in a variety of medical procedures. The authors sought to explore the effects of virtual reality in common awake minor plastic surgery procedures where children may experience discomfort.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial compared virtual reality to standard-of-care distraction among children aged 6 to 16 years undergoing awake minor plastic surgery procedures at a quaternary children's hospital. Primary outcome was change in Faces Pain Scale-Revised pain score, and secondary outcomes included change in Venham Situational Anxiety Scale score, procedure duration, administration of local anesthetic, and pain/anxiety management satisfaction.
Results: Mean pain and anxiety scores were similar in both groups (p = 0.60 and p = 0.18, respectively), and procedure duration was shorter with virtual reality (22 minutes versus 29 minutes; p = 0.002). Duration remained shorter in a linear regression model accounting for procedure type (p = 0.01). Similar proportions of children received additional local anesthetic after the initial dose (virtual reality, n = 6; standard of care, n = 9; p = 0.19) and median pain management satisfaction was similar (virtual reality, 9 of 10; standard of care, 9 of 10; p = 0.41). Median anxiety management satisfaction was similar (virtual reality, 9 of 10; standard of care, 9 of 10; p = 0.05). Younger children reported more "fun" than older children with virtual reality (p = 0.02). Surgeons reported interest "using virtual reality again" in 83 percent of cases.
Conclusions: The use of virtual reality for awake pediatric plastic surgery reduced procedure time but not pain or anxiety compared to standard of care in children aged 6 to 16 years. Virtual reality was safe and well-liked and should be considered as an additional tool. Increased efficiency may allow more cases to be performed.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, II.
Copyright © 2021 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.