title: Microsurgical Simulation Exercise for Surgical Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Initial training for orthopedic surgical residents (postgraduate years 1-5) in microsurgery using the turkey wing model and evaluation of their proficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents were given a questionnaire on their comfort level with microsurgery and microsurgical knowledge, followed by a lecture on the subject. They watched a surgical dissection and repair of the turkey wing's neurovasculature. Residents performed the dissection and repairs of the artery, vein, and nerve. A postquestionnaire was administered following the simulation exercise. Their performances on repairs were graded and results compared by academic year.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 21 orthopedic surgery residents were recruited from Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This training activity resulted in significant improvements in both microsurgical knowledge (41%) and comfort (37%). Senior residents scored significantly higher than juniors on 6 microsurgical parameters. The largest effect was in nerve repair showing 4 parameters that differed significantly between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microsurgical techniques require extensive training to master. The turkey wing model for repair of the artery, vein, and nerve represents a realistic simulation of a human hand artery, vein, and nerve. It provides an inexpensive method for residents to practice on real tissue for improving microsurgical technique.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Associates of New York, Hand Center, Staten Island, New York. Electronic address: lgross7181@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beth Grossman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Health Science Center, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Health Science Center, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Marie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Badalamente
authors.affiliation: Tuscon Orthopaedic Institute, East Office, Tuscon, Arizona.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Braunstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Health Science Center, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Stony Brook, New York.
authors.forename: Lawrence C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hurst
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D023421:Models, Animal; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education*; D000066908:Simulation Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014422:Turkeys
keywords: Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; laboratory model; microsurgery; neurovasculature skills; training