title: A training model for cutaneous surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Training models are necessary for development of many skills in medical education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a training model for improvement of simple surgical procedure skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convex, rectangular, smooth-surfaced wooden plate covered by first cotton material and then polyethylene stretch film was used. Skins of rats that had been used previously for experimental studies were attached on the wooden plate. In order to see efficacy of our model, we decided to use it in a cutaneous surgery workshop. Theoretical and practical information about surgical sutures, punch biopsy, excisional biopsy, rotational flap, and Z-plasty procedures was given to the participant physicians. Surgical skills of participants were scored before and after the practical part of workshop.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three physicians were enrolled voluntarily to the workshop. All participants showed statistically significant increase in scores (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The similarity to human skin and the easy setup make this training model an ideal teaching tool to improve the skills of physicians for simple cutaneous surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, 67600 Zonguldak, Turkey. altinyazar@karaelmas.edu.tr
authors.forename: H Cevdet
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Altinyazar
authors.forename: Mübin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosnuter
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unalacak
authors.forename: Rafet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koca
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Babucçu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D051381:Rats; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*