Simulation is vital for surgical training, allowing residents to enhance skills while ensuring patient safety. Realistic simulation environments that mimic life-like scenarios are in high demand but depend on program funding and access to facilities. With augmented reality (AR) and the rise of virtual learning, residents can now engage in immersive training without expensive facilities. Suturing is a fundamental medical skill, making it a perfect candidate for an AR training environment. Thus, this study aimed to create a low-cost, accessible AR suturing solution.

Traditional suture pads are often costly, limiting their availability in many surgical training programs. Our solution, priced at just $3.57 per pad, is crafted from commercially available materials that closely replicate the layers of human tissue. This makes it a budget-friendly alternative that doesn't compromise on realism. Paired with an immersive AR experience, this pad significantly enhances the surgical training process, providing residents with a realistic and accessible way to practice their suturing techniques without the need for expensive facilities.