How I do it: simple ad-hoc pulsatile pump model for realistic microsurgical training under pulsatile flow.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Microsurgical training traditionally relies on animal models, raising ethical and cost concerns.
• Developing realistic, animal-free training alternatives is crucial for advancing surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simple, cost-effective pulsatile pump model (PPM) for realistic microsurgical training.
• To demonstrate the PPM's utility in an animal-free training environment.

Main Methods:

• Construction of the PPM using readily available monitoring and infusion materials.
• Assembly of a closed-loop system with infusion pumps, pressure transducers, and various infusion components.
• Adjustment of pulsation frequency, flow, and pressure with continuous monitoring capabilities.

Main Results:

• The PPM successfully simulates pulsatile flow, crucial for realistic microsurgical practice.
• The model supports various microsurgical tasks, including microvascular repair, anastomosis, and aneurysm clipping.
• Adjustable parameters allow for tailored training scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The developed pulsatile pump model provides a near-realistic and adaptable training platform.
• This cost-effective, animal-free solution enhances microsurgical skill acquisition using accessible materials.