A newly designed training tool for microvascular anastomosis techniques: Microvascular Practice Card

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Microsurgery Training
• Medical Device Innovation

Background:

• Traditional microvascular anastomosis training often involves animal models.
• There is a need for effective, non-animal practice tools for surgical skills development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Microvascular Practice Card, a novel training tool.
• To provide a safe, hygienic, and repeatable method for practicing microvascular anastomosis techniques.

Main Methods:

• The Microvascular Practice Card features silicone tubes of varying diameters (0.3-2.0 mm) and wall thicknesses.
• Tubes are arranged in multiple directions to simulate various suturing and anastomosing scenarios.
• Training is conducted using microinstruments within a specialized plastic box.

Main Results:

• The card facilitates progressive skill development, starting with larger tubes and progressing to finer diameters (0.3-0.5 mm) for advanced practice.
• It supports practice of end-to-end, end-to-side, and side-to-side anastomosis techniques.
• Superfine tubes allow for training under higher magnification, enhancing microsurgical precision.

Conclusions:

• The Microvascular Practice Card is an effective non-animal training tool for microvascular anastomosis.
• It enhances trainee skills in diverse anastomotic situations under safe and hygienic conditions.
• This tool significantly reduces the need for laboratory animals in surgical technical training.