The use of cadaver tissue in advanced microsurgical training.

Ex-vivo microsurgical instruction with fresh cadaver tissue offers an ideal educational design for intermediate and advanced training for orthopedic and plastic surgery residents and hand fellows. It can be also utilized to maintain and sharpen the skills of the experienced micro-surgeon. The following article describes the harvesting technique for nerves and vessels, lists the expected cross sectional diameters for each of the peripheral vessels and nerves used. The method of implementation in a workshop educational model is described as well.