Microneurosurgical Training on Simulators: The Zurich Microsurgery Lab Experience

Abstract

Training microsurgical and neurosurgical techniques by using multimodal simulators in the lab is a fundamental component of neurosurgical residency nowadays. The authors of this chapter describe a training curriculum for residents in neurosurgery implemented at the Zurich Microsurgery Lab, one that integrates different simulators to ensure a seamless and effective progression in microneurosurgical skill acquisition. Neurosurgical residents at all levels of training can benefit from this training scheme, profiting from the realistic replication of surgical scenarios and conditions. Next-generation silicon tubes are used as the initial tools and provide exposure to basic microsurgical skills. Placental simulators have become a milestone at our lab for training microsurgical techniques such as vessel dissection and microanastomoses. Craniotomy sessions are performed using hyper-realistic three-dimensional (3D) skull models. Mixed reality allows for teaching surgical anatomy with 3D interactive reconstructions of the most relevant anatomical structures. Cadaver models offer a realistic anatomical setting for advanced specialistic training.