gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: Microsurgery is widely used in experimental research models and clinical surgery. However, microsurgical applications require precise technical skills and continuous training. Here, we proposed a new, low cost, practical microsurgery training model, which can be easily applied using smartphones at home or at office.

Methods: Test platform was created using latex gloves, and a phone holder was then positioned at one side of a table. A smartphone with 10x magnification was secured on the phone holder. Microsurgical device habit, stitching and knotting exercises by making cuts at different angles on the glove model were performed, which was recorded live under the 10x magnification of the phone camera.

Results and Conclusions: Features that emphasise and distinguish this method from the other microsurgical methods are as follows: Easy implementation, easy accessibility, low cost, can be applied at home or office to allow continuity of practical education, allows taking snapshots or recording live videos of the surgery, the video can be viewed several times to rectify the mistakes made. Moreover, smartphones also have the option of being managed with voice commands for taking photos and videos. The disadvantages of the proposed method are that it does not offer the high magnification rate of a surgical microscope and that it lacks clinical applications.

We recommend that the practical microsurgery model presented in this study should be applied to basic microsurgery education and also used as an alternative training model owing to its easy application, easy accessibility and low cost. We believe that with technological advancements, this model has the potential for incorporation in future microsurgical clinical applications.