“EX-VIVO RABBIT”: A NOVEL HIGH-FIDELITY TRAINING MODEL FOR MICROSURGICAL AND SUPERMICROSURGICAL TRAINING.

Introduction The development of appropriate microsurgical and supermicrosurgical skills is essential for the reconstructive surgeon. Training courses frequently employ in-vivo models, which have various drawbacks: limited availability, high cost and/or ethical conflicts1. In order to overcome these limitations, we looked for an inert model that was analogous to the gold-standard in-vivo, surpassing at the same time the classic ex-vivo models. Material and methods We studied the ex-vivo rabbit as an animal training model by the means of 10 specimen dissections, microscopically analyzing the mean caliber and length of its main vascular pedicles and comparing them to those of the most common flaps and recipient vessels employed in reconstructive surgery. We designed a routine with increasingly difficult exercises, which we propose as a training plan. Results The rabbit’s main vascular pedicles have a mean caliber of 0.4 (internal mammary), 0.8 (iliolumbar artery), 0.9 (brachial), 1.5 (renal), 1.2 (femoral), 1.9 (common carotid) and 2.8 (aorta) millimeters. They allow for a progressive increase in the level of complexity, as well as the practice of a wide variety of techniques (end-to-end anastomosis between vessels of different size, end-to-side anastomosis, neurorrhaphies, nerve transfers, ortho- and heterotopic replants and free flaps). Conclusion The ex-vivo rabbit serves as a valid alternative to other recognized high-fidelity microsurgical models, overcoming the limitations of in-vivo – it is easily accessible, inexpensive and inert – as well as ex-vivo – it offers a wide range of calibers and the possibility of practicing advanced techniques – models which have been used in the past.

Publication History

Received: 06 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 17 August 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
21 August 2025