Evolution of an evidence based supermicrosurgery simulation training curriculum: a systematic review

BackgroundSupermicrosurgery (SM) involves operating on vessels with calibers from 0.3-0.8 millimeters. Supermicrosurgery requires skills beyond those of conventional microsurgery. Current microsurgery courses do not prepare a junior surgeon for such a challenge. Several models have been developed to assist in the early learning curve, but their true purpose, benefit and validation have not been addressed. This systematic literature review summarizes the existing SM simulation models, and their likely impact on microsurgery training for small-caliber vessel-based procedures is assessed.