Search

Introduction: Microsurgery is a surgical technique that uses optical magnification as well as specific instruments to address necessary reconstructive procedures in different medical specialties. The apprenticeship of this technique requires overcoming a steep learning curve. There is a need for standardization of the training criteria in microsurgery. The International Microsurgery Simulation Society (IMSS) was born in 2011, since then its main objective has been to connect the main international specialists and educators of this sub-specialty to share and discuss the ethical and scientific basis of preclinical microsurgery teaching.Methods: In order to achieve a consensus on the minimum standards for the organization of basic microsurgery training courses, the requirements for a microsurgical anastomosis global rating scale and minimum thresholds for training, a total of nineteen independent global experts participated in a formal consultative consensus development program. The agreement criteria for each statement was established when consensus of 65-100% was reached.Results: There have been established six recommendations concerning minimum standards for a basic microsurgery course, one recommendation in relation to minimum thresholds for training and four recommendations regarding the global rating scale as gold standard for a microsurgical anastomosis assessment. The eleven defined recommendations reached the agreement threshold of 65-100%.Conclusions: The development of this consensus sets the minimum recommended requirements for conducting basic microsurgery training courses, as well as suggestions for objective assessment of the learning curve and skills of trainees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intramedullary nailing has become a popular and effective procedure for the treatment of most tibial fractures. However, concerns regarding difficulties with reduction, the use and extent of intramedullary reaming, and hardware failure are probably the only constraints to its widespread use. In this prospective study, we present the clinical and radiographic results of the Orthofix® tibial nailing system used in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. One hundred and fifteen fresh tibial fractures in the same number of patients with a mean age of 37.5 years (17–85 years) were treated with operative stabilisation using the Orthofix® tibial nailing system. All of the operations took place in a conventional operating theatre, on a simple tranlucent operating table and with manual reduction of the fracture. In the majority of the cases closed reduction and conventional reaming were performed and the mean duration of the operation was 38min. Fracture healing occurred at 16 weeks (11–30 weeks) and was confirmed both clinically and radiographically. In six cases (two severely comminuted and four segmental fractures) delayed union occurred, however there were no tibial non-unions necessitating re-operation. There were no substantial differences in time to fracture union or in the rate of complications related to minimal open reduction. In addition, there seem to be more benefits than risks in the use of power intramedullary reaming during intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures. In conclusion, most tibial shaft fractures can effectively and safely be treated using this type of locking intramedullary nailing device, with relatively few complications, and with satisfactory long-term clinical results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]