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CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1802555
Original Article

“Eklavya”: Do-It-Yourself Model: A Rolled Latex Sheet Conduit for Microsurgical Training

Girish Mirajkar 
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Uday Bhat
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Amit Peswani 
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Sushrut Raut
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Husain Adenwala
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
,
Sayali Samudre
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective To introduce a simple and innovative low-fidelity microsurgical model using daily articles available in any plastic surgery operation theatre and to determine its quality, ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

Materials and Methods The model is essentially made by rolling a loose disposable glove upon a K-wire to create a true micro-vessel (< 2 mm). Adjustment in the size and thickness of the conduit can be made. Model was assessed by data obtained from subjective questionnaire to 29 experienced microsurgeons with more than 5 years of independent microsurgical practice. This experience of our model was compared with their experience with other material and animal tissue.

Results The chicken femoral is the best compared to rat model overall, but rolled latex is as good or second best as far as some of the features assessed.

Conclusion “Eklavya” microsurgical model provides a valuable alternative to traditional animal models, allowing trainees to practice and hone their skills without the ethical and financial concerns associated with live animal use.

Keywords

microsurgery training - education - micro-anastomosis - microsurgical model

Note

The model is named after “Eklavya,” a character in the Mahabharata who developed mastery over his craft in archery, by learning on his own, only to lose it by sacrificing the thumb of his dominant hand to his chosen guru “Dronacharya.” Who knows, Eklavya would have benefited from microsurgical procedures that exist today!


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Article published online:
03 February 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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