Abstract
BackgroundMicrosurgical techniques are an important part of clinical and experimental research. Here we present our step-by-step microsurgery training course developed at the Münster University Hospital. The goal of this course was to create a short, modular curriculum with clearly described and easy to follow working steps in accordance with the Guidelines for Training in Surgical Research in Animals by the Academy of Surgical Research.MethodsOver the course of 10 years, we conducted an annual 2.5 day (20 h) microsurgical training course with a total of 120 participants.ResultsPrior to the course, 90% of the participants reported to have never performed a microanastomosis before. During the 10 years a total of 84.2% of the participants performed microanastomoses without assistance, 15% required assistance and only 0.8% failed.ConclusionsOur step-by-step microsurgery training course gives a brief overview of the didactic basics and the organization of a microsurgical training course and could serve as a guide for teaching microsurgical skills. During the 2.5-day curriculum, it was possible to teach, and for participants to subsequently perform a microsurgical anastomosis. The independent reproducibility of the learned material after the course is not yet known, therefore further investigations are necessary. With this step-by-step curriculum, we were able to conduct a successful training program, shown by the fact that each participant is able to perform microvascular anastomoses on a reproducible basis.
Highlights
Microsurgical techniques are an important part of clinical and experimental research
Because microsurgery offers a broad spectrum of techniques and skills, a training program must be developed
Many hospitals and research units have neither an educational concept nor the needed resources. They are not able to offer workplaces, tools and experienced instructors to teach surgeons, residents and researchers in microsurgical techniques. This has resulted in a growing interest in microsurgical training courses [11]
Summary
Microsurgical techniques are an important part of clinical and experimental research. We present our step-by-step microsurgery training course developed at the Münster University Hospital. Microsurgical methods are an essential component of surgical research, Because microsurgery offers a broad spectrum of techniques and skills, a training program must be developed. Many hospitals and research units have neither an educational concept nor the needed resources. They are not able to offer workplaces, tools and experienced instructors to teach surgeons, residents and researchers in microsurgical techniques. This has resulted in a growing interest in microsurgical training courses [11]. As important as the evaluation by a mentor is a constant self-evaluation, to build confidence in surgical skills
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