No Microscope? No Problem: A Systematic Review of Microscope-Free Microsurgery Training Models.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Biomedical Engineering
• Digital Health

Background:

• Benchtop microsurgical training models are evolving with digital tools like smartphones, tablets, and virtual reality (VR) for magnification.
• These models enable microsurgical skill practice without traditional operating microscopes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing microscope-free microsurgical training models.
• To compare their effectiveness in enhancing microsurgical skills.
• To provide a protocol for assembling custom microsurgery training models.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases (up to Nov 2020) following PRISMA guidelines.
• Data collection on model characteristics (cost, magnification, components) and outcomes (satisfaction, image resolution, suturing speed).
• Complementary Google search for commercially available microscope-free models.

Main Results:

• 24 publications met inclusion criteria; smartphones (n=10), VR (n=4), and tablets (n=3) were common magnification tools.
• Magnification varied widely (up to ×250 for digital microscopy, ×50 for smartphones, ×5 for tablets); costs ranged from $13 to $15,000.
• Trainees reported satisfaction, faster suturing speed, and improved quality using these models; 5 commercial models were identified.

Conclusions:

• Digital magnification benchtop trainers enhance microsurgery training ease and effectiveness.
• Low-cost, high-magnification setups (digital microscopes, smartphones) are optimal for skill improvement.
• A step-by-step protocol ('1, 2, 3, Microsurgery') is offered for custom model assembly.