Training model for microvessel anastomosis.

In the early stages of microsurgical training a model is required which is accessible, inexpensive, and approximates human tissue. In this research centre initial training exercises utilize cold stored vessels harvested from sacrificed animals used in other experiments. This model serves as an initial training tool prior to the progression to live animal research which maximizes use of animal specimens and approximates the in vivo qualities of blood vessels. The costs involved are minimal and a large number of vessels can be efficiently harvested and stored using basic equipment. As a training model, cold stored vessels have balanced cost with practicality, given an excellent approximation to living tissue and have markedly reduced our usage of live animals for teaching. This latter effect is significant at a time of increased scrutiny of the ethical use of laboratory animals.