Modified latex glove model for simulating a range of supermicrosurgical vessels

Accessibility of simulated submillimetre vessels for training supermicrosurgeons is limited by cost and access to micro laboratory facilities. Common simulation techniques include in vivo rat mesenteric artery, ex-vivo cryopreserved artery, ex-vivo chicken wing or thigh and synthetic models such as silicone tubing. The lowest cost and most readily accessible of these is the chicken wing model (Hayashi et al., 2018). None of these models follow the principles of NC3R humane animal research (replacement, reduction and refinement) and so we present a modified latex surgical glove model which provides a range of sub-millimetre vessels. Ten simulated vessels were made of each size and then divided and examined under a microscope. A calibrated vessel size ruler was used to visually assess the size. Average vessel sizes of 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm and 1.0 mm were achieved. The equipment required to make these is readily available in most hospitals. We find this a low cost, accessible method of creating simulated non-meat supermicrosurgical vessels for training.