Synthetic Materials Used For Surgery Training
Hi all! For those involved in hands-on surgical training at your institutions, I would appreciate your insights regarding the synthetic materials or substrates you utilize to teach fundamental surgical concepts—such as tissue cauterization, hemoclip application, and similar procedures. Thank you in advance for your input!
16 Views
I have purchased practice suture pads off Amazon that are of a silicone material, but I usually resort to using uncooked chicken from the store (trainings to take place in a different laboratory; never the Vivarium) or pigs feet to learn how to manipulate skin, and suture muscle/skin. The silicone mats really don’t mimick close enough to what people will deal with regarding animal flesh. Also, when training suturing for the first time, we usually go with a vicryl suture material and work our way to nylon as nylon is very unforgiving and will unravel almost instantly if you are not proficient in suturing. I tend to use it as a “challenge” for those who are competent and comfortable with vicryl/absorbable. Disposal is the same as with carcasses. Utilization of old/animals not used on study anymore is also commonly employed.