Basic Microsurgery

The Basic Microsurgery course involves 40 hours of one-on-one, individualized training of microsurgical techniques in a small class environment where students can learn at their own pace. 

The purpose of microsurgical training is to develop specialized surgical skills to facilitate the repair of small vessels and nerves. Training is conducted as a three-part process: reading the textbook, viewing the training videotapes and practicing surgical skills.

Registration fees include a copy of the textbook: Y Akelina,, A Ballestin : “Microsurgery 101: Tips and Tricks for Microvascular and Peripheral Nerve Repair”

Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes - or bring scrubs.

Day 1 (9:30 AM to 5:30 PM):

Videos (click links below to view videos by the Faculty of Columbia Orthopedics):

• “A sound mind in a sound body”
• “Getting ready for Microsurgery: Meet the Microscope”
• “Mechanics of microsurgical suturing”
• “Two-stay Interrupted End-to-End Anastomosis"
• Video-lectures from the textbook

Practicum:

• Obtaining working knowledge of the operating microscope, micro instruments, fine suture 9-0
• Practicing suturing on different planes using latex glove practice card and tubing

Practice end-to-end arterial anastomosis using interrupted suturing using the chicken leg femoral vessels : forehand, backhand and one-way-up

Day 2 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM):

Videos (click links below to view videos by the Faculty of Columbia Orthopedics):

• “One-way-up Technique”
• “Rat Femoral Vein Anastomosis”
• Video-lectures from the textbook

Practicum:

• Practice end-to-end arterial arterial anastomosis using interrupted suturing.
• Practice end-to-end arterial anastomosis using one-way-up suturing.
• Practice end-to-end venous anastomosis using interrupted suturing.

DAY 3 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM):

Videos (click links below to view videos by the Faculty of Columbia Orthopedics):

• "Interpositional Vein Graft"
• Video-lectures from the textbook

Practicum:

• Practice interpositional vein graft using femoral vein and femoral artery

Day 4 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM):

Videos (click links below to view videos by the Faculty of Columbia Orthopedics):

• “End-to-side anastomosis“
• “Basic Techniques in Peripheral Nerve Repair”
• Video-lectures from the textbook

Practicum:

• Practice end-to-side anastomosis using femoral artery to the side of femoral vein.
• Practice end-to-side anastomosis using femoral veins to the side of the femoral artery.

DAY 5 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM):

Practicum:

• Practice epineural repair using sciatic nerve.

Practical Exam:

• ARTERIAL AND VENOUS ANASTOMOSIS WITHIN A TIME LIMIT (30-40min)
• Or FREE TISSUE TRANSFER