Training in Microvascular Surgery Using a Chicken Wing Artery and Video Presentation

Abstract

 The present training system for microsurgery involves passage from suturing of silastic tubes to practice with experimental living animals or cadavers. However, these methods are neither convenient nor practical for daily exercises. Also there is an issue with animal ethics. I present a unique training exercise course for plastic surgical residents in our institute, from 2007.
 METHODS: 1) Latex sheet and chicken wing artery were used for microsurgical training. 2) Video-recordings of microvascular anastomoses using these models were presented at our conference. 3) After the conference, instruction under operating microscope was performed for the beginners.
 RESULTS: Several advantages of this course are noted: 1) the materials are cheap, convenient to manage, and easy to obtain, and neither specific facilities to maintain living animals nor anesthesia is needed. There is also no issue with animal ethics. 2) Video presentation at the conference enables us to evaluate and advise for the basic microsurgical skill of all residents within a limited time. 3) After the conference, instruction under operating microscope was performed for two residences. Significant improvement in their skills was demonstrated after the practice.
 CONCLUSION: This exercise course was useful especially for young surgeons who wish to learn microsurgical techniques.