Zurich Microsurgery Course (Jun 14 - 15, 2025)

Zurich Microsurgery Course is organized by University Hospital Zurich (UHZ) / Universitats Spital Zurich (USZ) and will be held from Jun 14 - 15, 2025 at University of Zurich Irchel, Zurich, Switzerland.

Description:
The need for comprehensive microsurgical training to improve the skills of microsurgeons is critical, not only for residents, but also for more experienced surgeons. However, in a non-surgical environment, training opportunities are often scarce and very expensive, so new and innovative surgical training methods have been considered.

Training on the Placenta Model:
The placenta model is one of the most promising and affordable instruments currently available for training in microsurgical techniques. In the placenta, all vessels are surrounded by membranes and stroma. In addition, the vessels are perfused and under pressure: this simulates the intraoperative situation very well. Dissection of the tissue surrounding the arteries and veins in the placenta is very similar to the intraoperative setting (or even more difficult according to experienced surgeons) (e.g., dissection of the sylvian fissure, arachnoid and sylvian vessels). In addition, the placenta model enables the:

• microsuture/repair vessels
• perform all the three types of microanastomosis: end-to-side, end-to-end & side-to-side
• perform all the three types of microanastomosis: end-to-side, end-to-end & side-to-side

Participants can perform a variety of simulation scenarios that allow for many repetition exercises and exploration of surgical errors. Working in a deep and narrow surgical area can also be simulated. According to histological findings, the vessels of the human placenta have similar characteristics to the cortical arteries or the superficial temporal artery. This course has been recommended by the Federation of Swiss Cantonal Veterinary Officers for recognition by all authorities responsible for animal experimentation as continuing education in laboratory animal science.