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CC BY 4.0 · J Reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2540-0917
Original Article

Influence and Longevity of a Microsurgery Course for Medical Students on Their Future Careers: A Retrospective Report of Up to 10 Years

Lucas M. Ritschl 
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Alex Grabenhorst
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Constantin Wolff
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Katharina Pippich
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Dorothea Dick
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM Medical Education Center, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Pascal O. Berberat
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM Medical Education Center, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
,
Klaus-Dietrich Wolff
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
,
Andreas M. Fichter
1   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Background

This study evaluates the influence and longevity of a microsurgery course on the future careers of medical students over a period of up to 10 years. The course, which has been well-established for over 15 years, aimed to impart fundamental microsurgical skills through practical exercises using nonbiological and biological models.

Methods

This study was conducted as an anonymous online cross-sectional survey. Only students who have completed a microsurgical training course at our department within a 10 years period between 2013 and 2023 were eligible for this online survey. This survey aimed to analyze the subjective microsurgical skills at the time of the survey and the influence of the course on further career decisions and development.

Results

A total of 300 former participants were eligible and 120 answered the survey. Key findings showed that 99.2% of participants rated the course content and the balance of practice to theory as appropriate, with 100% feeling confident in their microsurgical suturing abilities post-course. A significant 87.5% felt competent to perform vascular anastomoses, though only 63.9% felt confident about nerve coaptation. Statistical analysis indicated no significant gender differences in course evaluations, though some differences were noted between semester-accompanying and block course participants. In the survey, 54.2% of respondents reported using their microsurgical skills in their subsequent medical careers, and 50.4% indicated that the course influenced their medical specialization choices.

Conclusion

The study concludes that early exposure to microsurgical training can significantly impact students' skills and career trajectories, supporting the integration of such courses into medical education curricula to enhance surgical training and professional development.

Keywords

microsurgery - microsurgical training - online survey - longevity - vascular anastomosis - chicken thigh


Publication History

Received: 16 October 2024

Accepted: 26 January 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
17 February 2025

Article published online:
07 March 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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