Microsurgical teaching: our experience.

Today, microsurgery plays a fundamental role in plastic surgery, expanding surgical possibilities for cancer, trauma and aesthetic-related surgery. However, throughout the years, teaching and training systems for microsurgery have not evolved in the same manner as its operative techniques. The use of rats has been, and still is, the standard model for microsurgery training. However, stringent laws for animals used in experiments, combined with the rising costs of this model, have instigated the need to find alternative methods. To overcome this dilemma, we have developed a three-step approach to optimise microsurgery training, particularly when there is no access to animal laboratories. Copyright 2009 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.