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A Simple Cost-effective Method of Microsurgical Simulation Training: The Turkey Wing Model
Monson, Benjamin; Rymer, M. Colin; Wimalawansa, Sunishka; Johnson, R. Michael
Wright State University
2012-02-16
Presenter: Benjamin Monson
Affidavit:
This work was nearly all performed by the residents. I helped with directing the data to be acquired and abstract preparation.
Director Name: R. Michael Johnson
Author Category: Chief Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
How does this presentation meet the established conference educational objectives?
Provides alternative and inexpensive methods of surgical training.
How will your presentation be used by practicing physicians in the audience?
Provides a cheap and readily available alternative to current gold standard of microsurgical training.
Introduction:
Microsurgical simulation training is a hot topic in surgical education. Historically, the rat femoral artery model has been the gold standard for teaching microsurgical skills. The use of live animals requires substantial regulation and increased cost for maintenance. We present information regarding an alternative cost-effective technique to the use of live animals in microsurgical training.
Methods
10 turkey wings were purchased; the wings were prepared by dividing the wing into two usable segments. Information was collected on vessel diameter at the midpoint of the upper wing and lower wing segments and usable vessel length.
Results:
Usable vessel length and mid-segment diameter were measured for both the proximal (humeral) segment and the distal (forearm) segment, these measured 8.85 +- 0.58 cm long and 1.69+/- 0.14mm diameter and 10.5+/-1.05 cm long and 1.25+/-0.13 mm in diameter respectively.
Turkey wings were purchased from a turkey wholesaler, the effective cost was $0.475 for each session.
The rat cost data from our institution was collected, the cost on average was $136 dollars for a single rat 2 hour training session and $91each if more than 4 rats were used.
Conclusions:
Rat femoral artery has become the gold standard for microsurgical. Besides the significant cost associated with this training model, not all training programs and facilities are equipped to house, care for, and use rats in microsurgical training. This model is a cheap ($0.48), abundant and consistent model with tissue quality and vessel size that approximates human tissue well.
