一步一步：显微外科培训方法相结合的两个无生命的动物模型

Summary

Here we describe how to set up a small microsurgical practice station and a simple and inexpensive method for the training of microsurgery with non-living animal models.

Abstract

The learning of microsurgical techniques and the maintenance of microsurgical skills have been traditionally based on the use of living animals, mainly laboratory rats. This method although extremely valuable can be economically demanding both for the surgeon and the sponsoring institution; it also requires special training facilities that may not always be available or accessible. Furthermore ethical concerns can limit the use of living animals for training purposes. Alternative training methods, such as inert tubes and gloves have not gained popularity among surgeons since they do not offer an experience similar to that of a clinical situation. Non-living animal models include the use of chicken thighs and wings; they offer a practice experience that resembles a clinical situation to a considerable extent. This type of training is relatively cheap and easily available. The microscope and instruments required can be acquired over the internet, and the chicken pieces can be bought at the local supermarket.

This approach allows a motivated trainee to rehearse different types of surgical techniques several times at a reasonable expense, helping to develop or maintain his surgical expertise if more complex facilities are not available. On the current manuscript we describe how to setup a small practice station, how to dissect the specimens, and how to practice both with the chicken thighs and with the chicken wings in a progressive fashion. This approach takes advantage on the versatility of the chicken thigh model and the small size of the chicken wing Brachial artery.

Introduction

An ample array of training models have been described for the learning and maintenance of both basic and advanced microsurgical skills. These include living animals^1,2, human cadaveric specimens³, inert models^4,5 and non-living animal models^6-9.The Living animal models, specifically those using rats have been extensively used in the teaching of microsurgery ^1,2; and they are considered the current gold standard of training. In spite of their remarkable instructive value, when an intensive or prolonged training is required; economical and ethical concerns can hinder their practical usage.

Cadaveric models³ offer the opportunity to practice in an environment similar to that of the actual clinical situation; they are unfortunately restricted to anatomy labs and similar facilities, a microscope must be available at the lab as well; these models are therefore not widely available. Inert models such as rubber tubes, or gloves^4,5 are cheap, and easily accessible, the required equipment for their application is minimal. The resemblance to a clinical situation is tenuous however; and their application is generally limited to the introductory stages of training, before the trainee starts practicing on rats. To the best of our knowledge Hino⁶ was the first to propose the use of non-living chicken for the development and maintenance of clinical microsurgical skills. His model is based on the extraction and subsequent usage of the chicken brachial artery from commercial chicken wings. This approach does not need institution review board approval, rodent anaesthesia, laboratory technicians or postoperative care.

Following Hino´s description of the chicken wing artery model numerous other nonliving animal models were published. The use of commercial chicken thighs was first suggested by Marsh et al.⁷ who reported the use of the femoral artery, vein and nerve for didactic purposes. This particular model expands the possibilities of training including structures different from the arteries; it permits the trainee to perform a variety of complex procedures such as vein grafts, nerve grafts or fascicular repairs. Jeong et al.⁸ Further studied Marsh’ chicken thigh model and its applications to the teaching of resident doctors. The authors analysed chicken tissue samples histologically and found that it presented similarities to human tissues. The time to perform an anastomosis by the trainee was significantly reduced by practice in their study. They concluded that “the femoral neurovascular bundles of chicken are an appropriate and effective model for teaching and practicing microsurgery”. In 2013 my colleagues and I⁹ published a microsurgical training regimen that combined both the chicken thigh and the chicken wing models; this approach benefits from the versatility of the chicken thighs and from the limited size of the chicken wing artery which can represent more of a challenge than the femoral vessels for the more advanced trainees.

On the current manuscript we describe step by step the process of setting up a microsurgical practice station; the materials required, how to dissect the neurovascular structures of each model and how to effectively apply the training regimen.

Protocol

1.准备： 获得桌面立体显微镜，具有可变3,5- x可45倍放大200毫米的工作距离，55至75mm可变瞳孔间距和一个配件导致环形灯。任何类似的显微镜是足够的，它可以被设置在一个小桌子，是不是非常昂贵。 收集和编写一套显微仪器有两个显微拾音器，一个切除剪刀，一针驱动程序;这是所需要的最低限度，必须考虑到，这些都是实践手段，并且不需要高端品质仪器。 用9/0丝微缝合…

Representative Results

作者们chronometered其次，本训练方法，并且已经看见它显著降低吻合次为一股动脉在第三周结束。受训者可以通过检查他的时候，他的通畅百分比和他的线圈的对准控制上他的技术的改进。在这个手稿中描述的系统在图1中被描述，它包括一个桌面显微镜和一组显微仪器。宏观解剖示于图2和3股动脉显微吻合的一个例子示于图4中。图5示出了肱动脉显微吻合。图6示出一个股动脉修复用静脉移植物。通…

Discussion

The clinical practice of microsurgery requires a continuous practice and a high level of expertise; it’s applications include free flaps, replantation and revascularization procedures, intracranial – extracranial anastomoses for neurosurgical procedures, peripheral nerve surgery and others. In spite of the wide variety of procedures that require microsurgical techniques, some of them are seldom performed in many centers. The surgeons therefore need sometimes to maintain their skill level rehearsing the surge…

Materials

Name of Material/ Equipment	Company	Catalog Number	Comments/Description
Stereomicroscope	Amscope	SM-1BX	Microscope
Led light	Amscope	LED-80S-YA	illumination system
Microsurgical instruments set	Chen hen microsurgical instruments	HC- X803-1	Microsurgical instruments
Microsurgical sutures	S/T microsurgical	9/0 Suture	Sutures