Background
Microsurgery is an essential skill in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, microsurgical training is expensive. Various low-fidelity models using latex gloves or silicon-based models1 have been described. Widely available surgical masks can be an alternative model for practising basic-level hand and microsurgery.
Technique
Various components of a single surgical mask can be used to practise three different procedures. Figures 1–5 show a face mask and the ways in which various parts of it can be used for simulation of nerve repair, vascular anastomosis and tendon repair.
Figure 1 .
The surgical mask.
Figure 5 .
Tendon repair. The cloth of a mask is cut and rolled to various thicknesses representing a tendon. The cut ends of the artificial tendon are secured on a practice board. This provides an excellent model to practise various techniques of tendon repair.
Figure 2 .
Nerve repair. The ear band of a mask can be used to simulate nerves. Simulated nerve ends are sutured using microsurgical instruments.
Figure 3 .
Vascular anastomosis. The nose bridge of a mask provides a good model for microvascular anastomosis. A slit is made at the outer edge of nose bridge, perpendicular to metal strip. The two ends then resemble 1â 2mm vessels. These ends are anastomosed either using loops or a smart phone camera to replace a microscope.
Figure 4 .
Tendon repair. The cloth of a mask is cut and rolled to various thicknesses representing a tendon. The cut ends of the artificial tendon are secured on a practice board. This provides an excellent model to practise various techniques of tendon repair.
Discussion
The SARS-COV-2 pandemic2 is a reminder of the importance of simulation training in plastics and reconstructive surgery. With reduced training opportunities, self-directed practice with easily available, simple cost-effective models provides an alternative to maximise basic-level surgical training.
References
- 1.Gul BU, Yanilmaz DK, Arsalan Det al. Silicone-based models for peripheral nerve microsurgery. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2019; 72: 477–483. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.World Health Organization. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report –71. Geneva: WHO; 2020. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331685/nCoVsitrep01Apr2020-eng.pdf [Google Scholar]