Background Microsurgery training is critical to the practice of microvascular procedures in many surgical areas. However, even simple procedures require different levels of complex skills. Therefore, simulation-based surgical training, mainly in the area of vascular anastomosis, is of great importance. In this paper, we present a new microsurgery training model for the development of basic to advanced microsurgical skills. Methods Porcine kidneys were purchased from a legal butchery slaughterhouse. First, kidneys were washed with water to remove blood and clots inside vessels. Then, dissection was performed throughout the vascular pedicle from the renal arteries to the segmentary branches. Finally, the longitudinal sectioning of the kidney parenchyma was performed to expose the vessels necessary for training. Sixty end-to-end anastomoses were performed. Specific instruments and materials were used to perform anastomoses and dissections with magnification by a video system. We evaluated the diameter of vessels, time to perform anastomosis, and patency of anastomosis. Results There was no great anatomical variation among the porcine kidneys. The total length for dissection training was 25.80 ± 7.44 cm using the arterial and venous vessel. The average time to perform arterial anastomoses was 23.79 ± 4.55 minutes. For vessel diameters of ≤ 3, 4 to 6, and 7 to 10 mm, the average procedure times were 27.68 ± 3.39, 22.92 ± 4.12, and 20.77 ± 3.44 minutes, respectively. Regarding venous anastomosis, the average duration of the procedure was 26.17 ± 4.80 minutes, including durations of 31.61 ± 3.86, 25.66 ± 4.19, and 21.24 ± 3.79 minutes for vessel diameters of ≤ 7, 8 to 10, and >10 mm, respectively. Positive patency was achieved in all surgeries. Conclusion The porcine kidney provides an inexpensive and convenient biological model for modeling microanastomosis with high fidelity to vascular structures.

Purpose: To study the anatomorphometry of the plexus brachialis (PB) of rats under a high-definition video system. Methods: Ten male Wistar rats discarded from other research that did not interfere in the morphology of the animal, respecting the principle of reduction, were used. All animals were submitted to the same protocol. Initially, the cervical region was shaved. The animals were placed in a dorsal position. A single elbow-to-elbow incision was performed and dissection started at the deltopectoral sulcus. The procedures were performed under a video system. To measure the structures, the Image J software was used. Results: All the PB evaluated originated from the C5-T1 spinal nerves. C5 and C6 converged to form the truncus superior, the root of C7 originated the truncus medius, and the confluence of C8 and T1 originated the truncus inferior. It was found the union of C7, C8, and T1 to form truncus inferomedialis instead of separate medial and inferior truncus. C8 (1.31 mm) was the thickest root, the truncus inferior (1.80 mm) and the nerve radialis (1.02 mm), were the thickest. Conclusions: The anatomy of the PB is comparable to humans, admitting variations. The videomagnification system is useful to perform microsurgical dissection.

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Purpose:To develop a new low-cost, easy-to-make and available training model using chickens’ intestine for infant intestinal anastomosis.Methods:Segments of chicken intestine were used to create an intestinal anastomosis simulator. We tried to perform an end-to-end, end-to-side and side-to-side anastomosis. Handsewn sutured anastomosis were performed in single layered with interrupted prolene 5-0 suture. The parameters analyzed were cost, intestine's diameter and length, anastomosis patency and flow-through and leakage amount.Results:In all cases it was possible to make the anastomosis in double layered without difficulties, different from the usual ones. There was a positive patency at all anastomoses after the end of the procedure, with no need for reinterventions.Conclusion:The new training model using chickens’ intestine for infant intestinal anastomosis is low-cost, easy-to-make and easy available.

Conception, design, intellectual and scientific content of the study; interpretation of data; statistical analysis; critical revision.

Purpose: To describe the anatomical aspects of the cervical rootlets and to quantify the number of rootlets that compose C1 to T1. Methods: Twenty male rats were used in this study. The dorsal rootlets from C1 to T1 were analyzed. To study the ventral rootlets, the posterior root avulsion was performed using a microhook, allowing exposure of the ventral roots through manipulation of the denticulate ligament and arachnoid mater. The parameters analyzed were the number of ventral and dorsal rootlets by side and level. Results: The formation of the respective spinal nerve was observed in the spinal roots the union of the ventral and dorsal roots. In four animals the C1 spinal root had no dorsal and/or ventral contribution. There is no normal pattern of numerical normality of the dorsal and ventral rootlets. The average number of fascicles per root was 4.08, with a slight superiority on the left side. There was a slight superiority of the dorsal rootlets compared to the ventral rootlets. Conclusions: This investigation was the first to study cervical rootlets in rats. In 20% of the sample studied, the dorsal root of C1 was absent mainly on the left side. There is a nonlinear numerical increase from C1 to T1 in the rootlets. There is a numerical predominance of cervical fascicles on the left side, confronting several studies related to the functional predominance of right laterality, requiring new studies that correlate these variables.

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To describe the technique of sublay correction of incisional hernia in Wistar rats under videomagnification system. Methods: Five male rats of the species Rattus norvegicus, of the Wistar lineage, with body weight between 250-350 g and 60 days old were used. Incisional hernia was inducted in all animals. After that, the incisional hernia was immediately corrected by the sublay method. Results: There were no cases of recurrence of the incisional hernia after placement of the polypropylene mesh using the sublay technique. No postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion: The technique is suitable for execution in Wistar rats.