Description and evaluation of a bench porcine model for teaching surgical residents vascular anastomosis skills

Background Numerous models, of variable quality, exist to impart
the complex skills required to perform vascular anastomosis. These
models differ with regard to the kinds of materials used, as well
as their sizes, the time needed for their preparation, their
availability, and the associated costs. The present study describes
a bench model that uses formalin-fixed porcine aorta, and its
evaluation by young surgical residents during a recent skills
course. Findings The aortic segments used were a by-product of
slaughtering. They were fixed and stored after harvesting for
eventual use. Ten young surgical residents participated, and each
performed one end-to-side vascular anastomosis. The evaluation was
a questionnaire maintaining anonymity of the participant containing
questions addressing particular aspects of the model and the
experiences of the trainee, along with their ratings concerning the
need for a training course to learn vascular anastomosis
techniques. The scoring on the survey was done using a global
6-point rating scale (Likert Scale). In addition, we ranked the
present model by reviewing the current literature for models that
address vascular anastomosis skills. The trainees who participated
were within their first two years of training (1.25 ± 0.46). A
strong agreement in terms of the necessity of training for vascular
anastomosis techniques was evident among the participating trainees
(5.90 ± 0.32), who had only few prior manual experiences (total
number 1.50 ± 0.53). The query revealed a strong agreement that
porcine aorta is a suitable model that fits the needs for training
vascular anastomosis skills (5.70 ± 0.48). Only a few bench models
designed to teach surgical residents vascular anastomosis
techniques were available in the literature. Conclusions The
preparatory and financial resources needed to perform anastomosis
skills training using porcine aorta are few. The presented bench
model appears to be appropriate for learning vascular anastomosis
skills, as rated by the surgical trainees themselves.