Microsurgery and Traumatic Limb Exploration

Summary

This microvascular and limb exploration course is a great introduction to operating under a microscope with micro instruments.

After familiarisation with an operative microscope and the correct use of microvascular instruments, participants will practice their skills on a number of synthetic and animal bench models. Loup glasses will also be used to magnify the view while exploring a simulated wound in an animal limb.

After exploring, the limb smaller structures such as vessels and nerves will be repaired.

Loup magnification glasses will be supplied, though ideally participants will bring their own bespoke loups if used in their hospital practice.

Learning outcomes

  • More familiarity with surgical microscope and microvascular instrumentation
  • Increased dexterity in fine-needle handling
  • More practice in applying fine sutures to miniature vessels and nerves
  • Recognition of divided structures in a clean laceration to the limb
  • Knowledge of decision-making around structure repair in a traumatised limb.

In this practical course we will use a combination of synthetic and animal tissue (poultry/porcine).