title: A new polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel vascular model (KEZLEX) for microvascular anastomosis training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microvascular anastomosis is a challenging neurosurgical technique that requires extensive training for one to master it. We developed a new vascular model (KEZLEX, Ono and Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) as a non-animal, realistic tool for practicing microvascular anastomosis under realistic circumstances.
  
  
  METHODS
  The model was manufactured from polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel to provide 1.0-3.0 mm diameter (available for 0.5-mm pitch), 6-8 cm long tubes that have qualitatively similar surface characteristics, visibility, and stiffness to human donor and recipient arteries for various bypass surgeries based on three-dimensional computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging scanning data reconstruction using visible human data set and vessel casts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trainees can acquire basic microsuturing techniques for end-to-end, end-to-side, and side-to-side anastomoses with handling similar to that for real arteries. To practice standard deep bypass techniques under realistic circumstances, the substitute vessel can be fixed to specific locations of a commercially available brain model with pins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our vascular prosthesis model is simple and easy to set up for repeated practice, and will contribute to facilitate "off-the-job" training by trainees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Neurology, Research Institute for Brain and Blood Vessels-Akita, 6-10 Senshu-Kubota-machi, Akita 010-0874, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mutoh
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yasui