Step By Step: Microsurgical training method combining two nonliving animal models
May 9th, 2015
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.
The overall goal of the following experiment is to develop a microsurgical training method, combining two non-living animal microsurgical models. For a trainee with no previous microsurgical experience, A microscopical dissection of a commercially available chicken thigh is recommended first to expose the femoral artery, vein and nerve. The tissue is then placed under the microscope to perform the desired microsurgical technique.
For example, an end-to-end suture of the chicken femoral artery. When the trainee is comfortable working with the thigh tissue, the procedure can then be practiced with a smaller brachial artery found in commercially available chicken wings. Ultimately, perfecting these microsurgical techniques with the chicken femoral and brachial arteries can prepare the neurosurgeon for work in smaller live animal models and in clinical scenarios.
The main advantage of this technique over another existing like Micros Soldier training with rat is that our technique doesn't need a anesthesia and also doesn't need dedicated facilities minimizing economical stances and animal sacrifice. The femoral vessels and sciatic nerve of the chicken thigh can easily be exposed by running a finger just medial to the femoral shaft. The femoral head can then be observed near the dissection plane, which is located just parallel to the femoral shaft to practice an end-to-end anastomosis with the one way up technique on the chicken femoral artery.
Next place the tissue under the microscope. The location of the femoral artery vein and sciatic nerve should now be observed. Free the artery from the underlying tissues and divided horizontally.
Then using micro pickups and micro scissors, trim any adventitia overlying the arterial lumen, followed by a rinse of the inner lumen with regular tap water. If time training, record the start time, then place the first stitch starting on the back wall of the femoral artery on the far side of the tissue, and passing the needle from the outside of the artery towards the lumen, and then from the lumen to the outside of the artery to tie the stitch. Perform a double knot first, followed by two single throws in alternating directions.
Then complete the whole back wall, passing the needle back and forth as just demonstrated. Next place a single stitch on the front wall of the vessel from the outside to the lumen, and then from the lumen to the outside. Then tie the knot as just demonstrated, completing the front wall using single stitches as previously described.
And record the finish. Time to practice on the chicken brachial artery. First, use scissors to incise the skin longitudinally from the shoulder up to the tip of the wing.
The artery can now be observed running between the biceps and triceps brachii as indicated by the arrowheads heads. To test the patency of either microsurgical procedure, cross a smooth 20 or 27 gauge angio catheter through the anastomosis to check for obstructions. Then attach a syringe loaded with commercial food colorant to the end of the catheter and perfuse the dye into the artery to test for leakage.
Finally open the artery longitudinally to visualize the stitches, their parallelism, and the amount of wall taken here. A microscopic image of e femoral artery end-to-end suture is shown achieved by a one-way up technique with single stitches as just demonstrated. Whereas in this image, a representative end-to-end suture of a chicken brachial artery is presented.
The brachial artery is much smaller than the femoral artery, resulting in a much more technically demanding procedure. The chicken thigh model is very versatile, allowing for different types of practice exercises. Indeed, in this representative experiment, a femoral artery repair with a vein graft harvested from the femoral vein was performed.
After watching that video, you should have a good understanding how to make an end-to-end artery anastomosis or e femoral or rial chicken artery as well. How to assess the pregnancy of your results shots.
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Overview
This article describes a method for training microsurgery using non-living animal models. It outlines the setup of a microsurgical practice station and provides a step-by-step approach for trainees to develop their skills.
Key Study Components
Area of Science
- Microsurgery
- Training Methods
- Non-living Models
Background
- Microsurgery requires precise skills that can be developed through practice.
- Non-living animal models provide a safe and cost-effective training option.
- Chicken thighs and wings are used as models for practicing microsurgical techniques.
- Training on these models prepares trainees for more complex procedures.
Purpose of Study
- To develop a training method for microsurgery.
- To utilize non-living animal models for skill acquisition.
- To enhance the readiness of trainees for live animal surgeries.
Methods Used
- Microscopical dissection of chicken thigh to expose femoral artery, vein, and nerve.
- Practice of end-to-end suturing techniques on the exposed femoral artery.
- Progression to smaller brachial arteries in chicken wings for advanced practice.
- Utilization of a microscope for enhanced precision during procedures.
Main Results
- Trainees can effectively learn microsurgical techniques using non-living models.
- Practicing on chicken models builds confidence and skill.
- Successful completion of procedures prepares trainees for live surgeries.
- Method is cost-effective and accessible for training purposes.
Conclusions
- The described training method is beneficial for novice microsurgeons.
- Non-living models serve as a practical alternative to live animal training.
- Effective training can lead to improved surgical outcomes in clinical settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Executive Industry Relevance
Microsurgical skill development is a critical bottleneck in neurosurgical and vascular surgery training, where access to live animal models is constrained by cost, ethics, and facility availability. This method provides a scalable, reproducible platform for foundational skill acquisition using accessible biological tissues, enabling early-stage competency building before transition to complex models. By reducing reliance on live animals, it supports ethical training practices while maintaining anatomical fidelity relevant to procedural readiness.
Strategic Applications in Biopharma R&D
Early Discovery & Target Validation
- Scientific Value: Enables mechanistic understanding of vascular repair processes through hands-on practice of anastomosis techniques on biologically relevant tissues.
- Operational Value: Uses commercially available chicken tissues to establish low-cost, high-repeatability training modules for surgical skill assessment.
Screening & Assay Development
- Scientific Value: Supports development of standardized microsurgical proficiency assays using quantifiable endpoints such as suture patency and dye leakage testing.
- Operational Value: Facilitates reproducible training workflows where tissue preparation, anastomosis execution, and functional validation follow a consistent protocol.
Translational & Preclinical Research
- Scientific Value: Bridges ex vivo skill training to in vivo applicability by modeling arterial repair in progressively smaller vessels, mirroring clinical scaling challenges.
- Operational Value: Allows iterative practice on femoral and brachial arteries to refine technique before application in rodent or large animal survival models.
Pipeline & Workflow Integration
This method fits within the early discovery phase as a biological skills enablement tool, supporting handoff to preclinical validation where microsurgical precision is required for device testing, graft evaluation, or injury model generation.
- Discovery Biology: Supports hypothesis testing in vascular biology by enabling precise tissue manipulation and repair observation under microscopy.
- Screening: Enables standardized assessment of microsurgical competency through timed anastomosis and functional perfusion testing.
- Analytics: Generates measurable outputs including suture integrity, luminal patency via catheter passage, and leakage quantification via dye perfusion.
- Translational Research: Prepares trainees for survival surgery models by building foundational skills in vessel handling and anastomosis reliability.
- Enterprise Reuse: Establishes a reusable training platform across surgical teams using standardized tissue sourcing and microscope-based workflows.
Operational & Enterprise Impact
- Scientific Value: Reduces mechanistic ambiguity in surgical skill acquisition by providing direct visualization of tissue response to suturing techniques.
- Operational Value: Ensures reproducibility through standardized tissue dissection, microscopy setup, and suture technique protocols.
- Strategic Value: Improves go/no-go readiness decisions for live animal studies by confirming baseline microsurgical proficiency.
- Portfolio Impact: Enables risk-adjusted advancement to complex models by validating foundational skills before resource-intensive experiments.
Implementation Considerations
- Requires basic microsurgical instrumentation including micro forceps, micro scissors, and a stereo microscope.
- Dependent on access to a dissection workspace and sterile irrigation supplies such as tap water for lumen rinsing.
- Necessitates training in vessel identification and handling techniques specific to avian femoral and brachial arteries.
- Involves adaptation considerations when transitioning from chicken models to mammalian systems due to differences in vessel size and wall thickness.
- Limited to ex vivo training; does not replicate hemodynamic conditions or biological healing responses present in live systems.
