Dermatology Surgery Training in a Live Animal Model

Abstract

Background Surgical technique is an important part of resident training, which is the reason why various models have been implemented to acquire this skill. Animal models have been useful in teaching dermatologic suturing techniques. With the advancements in technology, simulators have been developed for these exercises, but at a very high cost. The use of pig heads and freshly killed animals have proven to be effective and low-cost. However, they do not reproduce skin pathologies with accuracy.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a live anesthetized rat model to simulate skin pathologies requiring surgical excision in a dermatologic suture workshop for residents.

Methods We analyze the outcome of a theoretical and practical suturing workshop using live Wistar rats with 13 dermatology residents.

Results The residents showed an improvement in surgical maneuvers, suturing techniques, and in the use of surgical instruments (p < 0.01).

Conclusion The model proposed in the present study was economic, easy to obtain and to manage, and it portrays live and accurate skin response to manipulation. Therefore, it is effective for conducting surgical training sessions in dermatology.

Keywords

skin - skin surgery - suture training model - suture technique

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