Microsurgery Arena: A New Device to Develop Microsurgical Skills

Abstract

Summary:. Simulation in microsurgery is an important pillar of training and maintenance of surgical skills. Between learning microsurgical skills and mastering them in clinical practice, the usefulness of low-fidelity simulators for improving microsurgery skills has been well documented. Nowadays the in vivo models represent the gold standard of microsurgical training; however, their use implies difficulties and limitations. We developed a portable, low-cost, and modern device to help trainees to practice at their convenience to maintain their microsurgical suturing skills. By using CAD and 3D printer designs, we developed a “microsurgery trainer” that contains a middle section with eight projections with holes, arranged as a circle. The idea is to pass the microsuture—preferably 7/0 or 8/0 sutures—in a clockwise manner—with the needle passing from “out to in” and “in to out” through each hole. This allows the trainee to use his/her wrist to be flexible and achieve better control over the micro needle. Studies evaluating the potential of such a device in shortening the learning curve are needed and will be crucial to define whether the “microsurgery arena” will help trainees to obtain better outcomes in microsurgical practice.