PR03 AN ALTERNATE MODEL FOR LEARNING MICROSURGICAL SKILLS

Purpose  To highlight a suitable option in training and optimizing microsurgical skills in situations without access to an animal laboratory. The rat model has been the standard model but stringent laws on experimental animals and rising cost of this model necessitate alternative models. Methods  Tissues obtained from the operating room which would otherwise be discarded We practiced microsurgical anastomosis of vessels and nerves using the operating microscope. Over a one year period, 86anastomosis were done on various vessels of different caliber. The patency was evaluated using colored colloidal solution to flow through from a height creating a pressure gradient. Transecting the vessel beyond the anastomosis was subsequently done to examine the anastomosis in greater detail. Results  86 anastomosis performed were evaluated. The anastomosis performed are summarized:Upper limb‐Radial artery10; Cephalic vein‐10. Lower limb‐Peroneal artery‐6. Dorsalis pedis‐3; Vena commitantes‐5; Digital vessels on toes 3 arteries 3 veins; Umbilical cord‐artery‐12; Umbilical vein‐12; Lymphedematous tissue‐vein‐4; Derma‐lipectomy specimen‐Unnamed veins‐5, arteries‐5; Intestine‐Mesenteric vessels veins‐4; arteries‐4. Conclusion  The use of tissue which would otherwise be discarded proved to be a suitable alternative in training basic microsurgical skills with specific advantages of allowing for practice of all steps including adventectomy which is not possible on synthetic models. It offered the novice a first hand experience with vessels of various characteristic attributes and enables the trainee to get the life like experience of the feel of the vessel and its specific characters as one would encounter.