Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency

<b>Background:</b> Microsurgery is a demanding surgical field requiring precision and extensive training. There is a continued need for standardized training models to improve skill acquisition and efficiency in microvascular anastomosis. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed t...

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Main Authors: Florin-Vlad Hodea, Andreea Grosu-Bularda, Andrei Cretu, Catalina-Stefania Dumitru, Vladut-Alin Ratoiu, Eliza-Maria Bordeanu-Diaconescu, Raducu-Andrei Costache, Razvan-Nicolae Teodoreanu, Ioan Lascar, Cristian-Sorin Hariga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Clinics and Practice
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/5/82
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author Florin-Vlad Hodea
Andreea Grosu-Bularda
Andrei Cretu
Catalina-Stefania Dumitru
Vladut-Alin Ratoiu
Eliza-Maria Bordeanu-Diaconescu
Raducu-Andrei Costache
Razvan-Nicolae Teodoreanu
Ioan Lascar
Cristian-Sorin Hariga
author_facet Florin-Vlad Hodea
Andreea Grosu-Bularda
Andrei Cretu
Catalina-Stefania Dumitru
Vladut-Alin Ratoiu
Eliza-Maria Bordeanu-Diaconescu
Raducu-Andrei Costache
Razvan-Nicolae Teodoreanu
Ioan Lascar
Cristian-Sorin Hariga
author_sort Florin-Vlad Hodea
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Microsurgery is a demanding surgical field requiring precision and extensive training. There is a continued need for standardized training models to improve skill acquisition and efficiency in microvascular anastomosis. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to assess whether a standardized microsurgery training protocol, focusing on technique-specific objectives, improves performance among beginner trainees. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A three-month, non-randomized cohort study was conducted with entry-level plastic surgery residents. Participants were assigned to either a control group, practicing without structured guidance, or a test group, using a predefined microsurgery curriculum. Skill performance was measured at baseline, three weeks, and three months using a modified University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Skills Assessment (UWOMSA) tool. <b>Results:</b> While both groups improved over time, the test group demonstrated significantly greater improvement at the three-month mark (mean score: 59 vs. 38; <i>p</i> = 0.00027). The structured training model promoted more consistent progress and superior microsurgical technique. <b>Conclusions:</b> A standardized training protocol significantly enhances microsurgical proficiency over time. These findings suggest value in structured, low-cost training models for microsurgical education. Limitations include the small sample size, use of non-living models, and a non-randomized design.
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series Clinics and Practice
spelling doaj-art-d68dc2466cbc4efcb6eda5d6fd6f12cd2025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGClinics and Practice2039-72832025-04-011558210.3390/clinpract15050082Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training EfficiencyFlorin-Vlad Hodea0Andreea Grosu-Bularda1Andrei Cretu2Catalina-Stefania Dumitru3Vladut-Alin Ratoiu4Eliza-Maria Bordeanu-Diaconescu5Raducu-Andrei Costache6Razvan-Nicolae Teodoreanu7Ioan Lascar8Cristian-Sorin Hariga9Department 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaClinic of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 014461 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment 11, Discipline Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bucharest Clinical Emergency Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 050474 Bucharest, Romania<b>Background:</b> Microsurgery is a demanding surgical field requiring precision and extensive training. There is a continued need for standardized training models to improve skill acquisition and efficiency in microvascular anastomosis. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to assess whether a standardized microsurgery training protocol, focusing on technique-specific objectives, improves performance among beginner trainees. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A three-month, non-randomized cohort study was conducted with entry-level plastic surgery residents. Participants were assigned to either a control group, practicing without structured guidance, or a test group, using a predefined microsurgery curriculum. Skill performance was measured at baseline, three weeks, and three months using a modified University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Skills Assessment (UWOMSA) tool. <b>Results:</b> While both groups improved over time, the test group demonstrated significantly greater improvement at the three-month mark (mean score: 59 vs. 38; <i>p</i> = 0.00027). The structured training model promoted more consistent progress and superior microsurgical technique. <b>Conclusions:</b> A standardized training protocol significantly enhances microsurgical proficiency over time. These findings suggest value in structured, low-cost training models for microsurgical education. Limitations include the small sample size, use of non-living models, and a non-randomized design.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/5/82microsurgerytrainingmicrovasculartechniqueseducation
spellingShingle Florin-Vlad Hodea
Andreea Grosu-Bularda
Andrei Cretu
Catalina-Stefania Dumitru
Vladut-Alin Ratoiu
Eliza-Maria Bordeanu-Diaconescu
Raducu-Andrei Costache
Razvan-Nicolae Teodoreanu
Ioan Lascar
Cristian-Sorin Hariga
Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
Clinics and Practice
microsurgery
training
microvascular
techniques
education
title Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
title_full Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
title_fullStr Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
title_full_unstemmed Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
title_short Microvascular Anastomosis in Practice: A Pilot Study on Microsurgical Training Efficiency
title_sort microvascular anastomosis in practice a pilot study on microsurgical training efficiency
topic microsurgery
training
microvascular
techniques
education
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-7283/15/5/82
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