Dye-Perfused Human Placenta for Vascular Microneurosurgery Training: Preparation Protocol and Validation Testing.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Vascular Microneurosurgery

Background:

• Human placenta is an ethically accepted, readily available training model for vascular microneurosurgery.
• Existing literature lacks standardized protocols for preparing the placenta for laboratory use.
• The placenta's vasculature mimics human vessels, making it ideal for surgical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a detailed, standardized laboratory protocol for preparing a color-perfused human placenta model.
• To validate the reliability and reproducibility of the prepared placenta model through surgeon feedback.

Main Methods:

• A protocol involving cleaning, heparin irrigation, and cold storage of the placenta.
• Cannulation of umbilical vessels and perfusion with specific dyes (carmine/cochineal for arteries, methylthioninium chloride for veins).
• Survey-based assessment of the model's reliability by 40 neurosurgeons, otolaryngologists, and maxillofacial surgeons.

Main Results:

• Forty-two placentas were successfully prepared and perfused with dyes.
• Most participants (33/40) found the placenta model valuable, accurate, and reproducible.
• No significant differences in perceived reliability were observed across surgeon experience levels.

Conclusions:

• The human placenta is an excellent, validated tool for vascular microneurosurgery laboratory training.
• Color perfusion is key to enhancing the reliability of the placenta model.
• The model's utility is confirmed across various surgeon experience levels.