Microsurgery courses vs continuous microsurgery laboratory training: an Italian experience

Background Microsurgical techniques are an important part of clinical and experimental research. In this paper, we present our survey of Italian microsurgery training and our experience of the importance of a free access microsurgical laboratory.MethodsA cross-sectional observational study was performed by administering a questionnaire regarding the current situation about microsurgical training in Italian Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery residency programs. A case-control study was performed on 12 residents divided into four groups of attendance to the microlaboratory.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy-six trainees replied to the questionnaire, representing 94.7% of residents enrolled in the Italian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive-Regenerative and Aesthetic Surgery (SICPRE). Only 25% of Italian residency locations own an environment dedicated to microsurgical training. All residents agreed to the importance of a free access microsurgical laboratory in their resident program. We verify a higher improvement in microsurgical anastomosis in resident who performed a more assiduous attendance to microsurgical laboratory.ConclusionsMicrosurgical skills are fundamental in becoming a complete plastic surgery specialist. It is important to invest in a microsurgical training in all residency programs. We consider that our experience could be useful to spur other residency institutions to invest in microsurgical training and maybe to create a microsurgical training network.Level of evidence: Not gradableConclusionsMicrosurgical skills are fundamental in becoming a complete plastic surgery specialist. It is important to invest in a microsurgical training in all residency programs. We consider that our experience could be useful to spur other residency institutions to invest in microsurgical training and maybe to create a microsurgical training network.Level of evidence: Not gradable