Rolando Fausto Del Maestro, MD, PhD
Dr. Del Maestro is the William Feindel Professor Emeritus in Neuro-Oncology and Director of the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence and Learning Centre at McGill University. His research is focused on surgical virtual reality simulation, developing intelligent tutors powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and evaluating model AI curriculum to improve surgical learner education.
Dr. Del Maestro’s research focuses creating and testing comprehensive virtual reality platforms for surgical bimanual technical skills assessment and training utilizing AI powered intelligent tutoring systems such as the Virtual Operative Assistant (VOA) and Intelligent Continuous Expertise Monitoring System (ICEMS). Two randomized clinical trials, the first comparing the VOA and off-site learning of surgical simulation, and the second the utility of personalized verbal deep learning network learner feedback and error detection using the ICEMS platform compared to in person expert instructors. Both demonstrated the efficacy of these intelligent tutoring platforms compared to expert instructors. Investigations are also focused on evaluating how AI in surgical curriculum design can result in unintended outcomes for technical competencies in simulation training A third randomized controlled trial determined the optimum automated simulated surgical skills learning feedback modality to improve learner performance. Present research is focused on integrating ex vivo calf brain resection simulations as hybrid models to assess learner intraoperative skills to develop the human intelligent operating room powered by AI. These studies have the potential to implement advanced AI technology in operative room training, by developing ICEMS-OR technology which can be utilized in any human operative room focused on intraoperative learner assessment, training, and alerting trainees to avoid possible surgical errors.
Selected Biography: Other Articles available on the publication page of http://neurosim.mcgill.ca/
Yilmaz R, Bakhaidar M, Alsayegh A, Hamdan NA, Fazlollahi AM, Tee T, Langleben I, Winkler-Schwartz A, Laroche D, Santaguida C, Del Maestro RF. (2024) Real-Time multifaceted artificial intelligence vs In-Person instruction in teaching surgical technical skills: a randomized controlled trial. Nature Sci Rep 14, 15130
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65716-8
Yilmaz R, Fazlollahi AM, Winkler-Schwartz A, Wang A, Makhani H A, Alsayegh A, Bakhaidar M, Tran DH, Santaguida C, Del Maestro RF. (2024) Effect of Feedback Modality on Simulated Surgical Skills Learning using Automated Educational Systems– A Four-Arm Randomized Control Trial. J. Surg. Educ. 81(2) 275-287
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.11.001
Almansouri A, Abou Hamdan N, Yilmaz R, Tee T, Pachchigar P, Eskandari M, Agu C, Giglio B, Balasubramaniam N, Bierbrier J, Collins DL, Gueziri, H-E, Del Maestro RF. (2024). Continuous instrument tracking in a cerebral corticectomy ex vivo calf brain simulation model: Face and content validation. Oper Neurosurg.
https://doi.org/10.1227/ons.0000000000001044 online ahead of print
Alkadri S, Del Maestro RF, Driscoll M. (2024) Unveiling surgical expertise through machine learning in a novel VR/AR spinal simulator: A multilayered approach using transfer learning and connection weights analysis, Computers in Biology and Medicine, 179, 2024, 108809, ISSN 0010-482.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108809
Fazlollahi AM, Yilmaz R, Winkler-Schwartz A, Mirchi N, Ledwos N, Bakhaidar M. Alsayegh A, Del Maestro RF. (2023) AI in Surgical Curriculum Design and Unintended Outcomes for Technical Competencies in Simulation Training. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(9):e2334658.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34658
Natheir S, Christie S, Yilmaz R, Winkler-Schwartz A, Bajunaid K, Sabbagh AJ, Werthner P, Fares J, Azarnoush H, Del Maestro RF. (2023) Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Electroencephalograph to Assess Expertise on a Simulated Neurosurgical Task. 152, 106286, Computers in Biology and Medicine
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106286
Yilmaz R, Winkler-Schwartz A, Mirchi N, Reich A, Christie S, Tran DH, Ledwos N, Del Maestro RF. (2022) Continuous Monitoring of Bimanual Technical Skills Using Deep Neural Networks. Nature npj Digit. Med. 5, 54
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-022-00596-8
Fazlollahi AM, Bakhaidar M, Alsayegh A, Yilmaz R, Winkler-Schwartz A, Mirchi N, Langleben I, Ledwos N, Bajunaid K, Sabbagh A, Harley J, Del Maestro R. (2022) Effect of artificial intelligence tutoring vs expert instruction on learning simulated surgical skills among medical students: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e2149008.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.49008
Ledwos N, Mirchi N, Yilmaz R, Winkler-Schwartz A, Sawni A, Fazlollahi AM, Bissonnette, V, Bajunaid, K, Sabbagh AJ, Del Maestro RF. (2022). Assessment of learning curves on a simulated neurosurgical task using metrics selected by artificial intelligence. J Neurosurg, 137(4) 1160-1171
https://doi.org/10.3171/2021.12.JNS211563
Winkler-Schwartz A, Yilmaz R, Tran DH, Gueziri H-E, Ying B, Tuznik M, Fonov V, Collins DL, Rudko DA, Li J, Debergue P, Pazos V, Del Maestro R. (2020). Creating a Comprehensive Research Platform for Surgical Technique and Operative Outcome in Primary Brain Tumor Surgery. World Neurosurg. 144: e62-e71.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.07.209
Mirchi N, Bissonnette V, Yilmaz R, Ledwos N, Winkler-Schwartz A, Del Maestro RF. (2020). The Virtual Operative Assistant: An Explainable Artificial Intelligence Tool for Simulation-Based Training in Surgery and Medicine. PLoS One. 15(2): e022959.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229596
Winkler-Schwartz A, Yilmaz R, Mirchi N, Bissonnette V, Ledwos N, Siyar S, Azarnoush H, Karlik B, Del Maestro R. (2019). Machine learning identification of surgical and operative factors associated with surgical expertise in virtual reality simulation. JAMA Netw Open. 2(8): e198363-e198363.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.8363
Winkler-Schwartz A, Bissonnette V, Mirchi N, Ponnudurai N, Yilmaz R, Ledwos N, Siyar S, Azarnoush H, Karlik B, Del Maestro RF. (2019). Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education: Best Practices Using Machine Learning to assess Surgical Expertise in Virtual Reality Simulation. J Surg Educ. 76(6): 1681-1690.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2019.05.015
