The microsurgical training programme in Gothenburg, Sweden: early experiences.
OBJECTIVE
Microsurgical techniques are increasingly used in routine surgical practice as well as in biomedical research. The training opportunities at standardised training courses are limited, and no microsurgical training facility or programme existed in Scandinavia before 2013.


METHODS
A microsurgery laboratory was set up and two different courses were started, aiming separately at biomedical researchers and surgeons. The course for biomedical researchers teaches basic microsurgical skills such as vessel isolation, cannulation, and arterial microvascular suture under magnification. The more advanced course for surgeons focuses on various techniques of microvascular and nerve anastomosis. Both courses use a combination of theory and practice, with emphasis on the practical part, the course for surgeons also includes clinically relevant information.


RESULTS
Twelve 5-day courses using both non-living models and exercises on laboratory animals have been conducted and attended by 49 researchers and 44 surgeons. The organisation and the programme of the training courses as well as 'The 4E concept' behind the course (educational curriculum, equipment, ergonomy, and evaluation) are further detailed.


CONCLUSIONS
We have successfully established the first training laboratory and series of microsurgical training courses in Scandinavia at two different levels. The experience from the first 12 courses shows the need for this type of structured training, and confirms that the microsurgical education curriculums needs to be adapted to participants' prerequisites and expectations, and various difficulty levels should be considered.
a The Laboratory for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine , Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.|b The Transplant Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Mihai
M
Oltean
c Plastic and Hand Surgery Department , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Paolo
P
Sassu
a The Laboratory for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine , Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Mats
M
Hellström
c Plastic and Hand Surgery Department , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Peter
P
Axelsson
d Experimental Biomedicine Department , University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Lars
L
Ewaldsson
c Plastic and Hand Surgery Department , Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Anders G
AG
Nilsson
e Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of Gotheburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Michael
M
Axelsson
D000818:Animals; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D000066908:Simulation Training; D013548:Sweden
Microsurgery training; dissection; education; evaluation; femoral artery; rat; training models