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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Step By Step: Microsurgical training method combining two nonliving animal models
Published on: May 9, 2015
Validation of a chicken wing training model for endoscopic microsurgical dissection
Daniel J Kaplan1, Francisco Vaz-Guimaraes, Juan C Fernandez-Miranda
1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To determine if training with a chicken wing model improves performance of endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) with microvascular dissection.
Study Design:
Randomized experimental study.
Methods:
A single-blinded randomized clinical trial of trainees with various levels of endoscopic experience was conducted to determine if prior training on a nonhuman model augments endoscopic skill and efficiency in a surrogate model for live surgery. Medical students, residents, and fellows were randomized to two groups: a control group that performed an endoscopic transantral internal maxillary artery dissection on a silicone-injected anatomical specimen, and an interventional group that underwent microvascular dissection training on a chicken wing model prior to performing the anatomic dissection on the cadaver specimen. Time to completion and quality of dissection were measured.
Results:
A Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a significant improvement in time and quality outcomes respectively across all interventional groups, with the greatest improvements seen in participants with less endoscopic experience: medical students (P = .032, P = .008), residents and fellows (P = .016, P = .032).
Conclusions:
Prior training on the chicken wing model improves surgical performance in a surrogate model for live EES.
