Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg 2019; 35(03): 216-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1670652
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Ahead of the Curve: Tracking Progress in Novice Microsurgeons

John P. Brosious
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Shawna R. Kleban
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Joshua J. Goldman
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Adnan G. Mohsin
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Shelly J. Williams
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Wei Z. Wang
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
John M. Menezes
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
,
Richard C. Baynosa
1   Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was supported by the Plastic Surgery Foundation Research Grant (grant number: 235106).
Further Information

Publication History

24 April 2018

02 August 2018

Publication Date:
21 September 2018 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate learning curves for an existing microsurgical training model. We compared efficiency and amount of training needed to achieve proficiency between novice microsurgeons without operative experience versus those who had completed a surgical internship.

Methods Ten novice microsurgeons anastomosed a silastic tube model. Time to perform each anastomosis, luminal diameter, and number of errors were recorded.

Results First year residents improved up to a brief plateau at 10 repetitions, followed by continued improvement. Second year residents improved up to a plateau at 10 repetitions with no further improvement thereafter. There was no significant difference in luminal area or errors between groups.

Conclusion Residents with no operative experience can benefit from early exposure to microsurgical training. These interns continue to improve with additional repetitions while second year residents achieve proficiency with fewer repetitions.

Keywords

microsurgical skills - surgical simulation - microsurgical training

Note

The study was presented at the World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery 2013 Congress, Chicago, Illinois.