title: A novel supermicrosurgery training model: the chicken thigh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Supermicrosurgery is an increasingly important technique in reconstructive surgery. It requires a more technically refined skill set compared with standard microsurgery. All currently available biologic training models involve the use of live rats. A nonliving model would be more accessible and cost-effective for practice. We have developed such a model using chicken thighs purchased from a local grocery store.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ischiatic neurovascular bundle was identified in 20 chicken thighs and dissected distally to the end of the specimen. The vessel diameters were measured at several points along the artery, vein, and their respective branches. Vessels with diameters in the 0.3-0.8-mm range were then divided and supermicrosurgical anastomoses were attempted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The branching pattern of the ischiatic artery and vein were anatomically consistent with intermediate and terminal secondary and tertiary branches consistently in the range of 0.3-0.8 mm. In all specimens, at least one 0.3-mm vessel could be identified, though additional intramuscular dissection was sometimes required. It was demonstrated that supermicrosurgical anastomoses could be successfully performed using these branches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study introduces a novel, convenient, and economical model for supermicrosurgery utilizing easily obtained chicken thighs. The chicken thighs have an anatomically consistent vascular branching pattern, and vessels of appropriate sizes for training can be easily identified and isolated. Surgeons looking to develop or refine supermicrosurgical skills may find this nonliving, biologic model very useful.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA. Electronic address: wei-chen@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Wei F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Anas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eid
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Jerrod
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Grace L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Nimmons
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: W Thomas
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000193:education; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002645:Chickens; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004210:Dissection / Q000193:education; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D061646:Operative Time; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis; Microsurgery; Microsurgery training; Supermicrosurgery; Supermicrosurgery training