A microscope in your pocket: can smartphones be used to perform microsurgery?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of the latest generation smartphone camera in performing arterial microanastomosis in rats. METHODS: Ten Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups and underwent anastomosis of the right carotid artery with the aid of magnification from a microscope (group M) and a smartphone camera (group S), to compare patency in 72 hours, as well as to measure the weight of the animals, diameter of the carotid arteries and anastomosis time. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the weight of the animals or the diameter of the carotid arteries. There was a statistical difference for the time spent on anastomoses, which was greater in group S, with higher rates of thrombosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although our patency and anastomosis time results were statistically lower in the smartphone group, there was success in some cases. As the segment continues to progress, it is likely that the results will improve in line with the evolution of camera technology.

Nerve Injury and Peripheral Nerve Functional Loss From Injection and Suture Needles: An Experimental Study on Rats.

BACKGROUND: During invasive procedures involving needles, there is a chance of damage to peripheral nerves. Therefore, a method for experimentally simulating these situations is needed. OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to evaluate peripheral nerve lesions caused by the entry and exit of an injection needle, nerve transfixion through a suture stitch, and the injection of saline solution and lidocaine into the nerve. METHODS: After obtaining approval from the Animal Ethics Committee, we randomly divided 36 Wistar rats, weighing approximately 250 g each, into 6 groups (control, sham, suture, needle, saline, and lidocaine groups), with 6 animals in each group. All procedures were performed on the left paws of the rats. After the procedure, walking track analysis was performed to assess the walking function of rats for 8 weeks. Four months after the procedures, we performed bilateral electrophysiological studies (measuring the latency and amplitude of the electrical impulse in the peroneal nerve). Subsequently, the rats were euthanized, and bilateral tissue samples were collected from the peroneal nerve and tibialis cranialis muscle for morphometric histological analysis. RESULTS: In the walking track analysis, all groups showed normalization of walking functionality after 13 days. There was little histological change between the groups, and no functional loss related to the procedures was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Procedures involving the infusion of local anesthetic or saline solution, or suture needles, are safe with regard to peripheral nerve function loss. Accidents tend not to cause nerve impairment.

Clamp vascular de fio de mononylon em microcirurgia experimental / Vascular clamp of mononylon thread in experimental microsurgery

Introdução: A microcirurgia reparadora é ramo hoje indissociável e imprescindível na cirurgia plástica. O treinamento é longo, custo financeiro relativamente alto e exige muito dos proponentes. Para melhorar essa equação a favor da formação de novos microcirurgiões no Brasil, é fundamental facilitar o acesso ao treinamento experimental, utilizando materiais simples. Huaraca descreveu uma técnica utilizando um simples fio mononylon 5-0 para substituir o clamp vascular, que é instrumento indispensável da anastomose microcirúrgica e geralmente de alto custo. O objetivo é comparar a técnica de Huaraca com fio de mononylon e o clamp metálico tradicional durante anastomose microcirúrgica vascular. Métodos: Seis ratos da raça Wistar cujas duas artérias femorais foram aleatoriamente selecionadas para sutura término-terminal após secção completa, sendo um dos lados realizado com clamp vascular habitual e o contralateral com técnica de Huaraca, no mesmo tempo cirúrgico e pelo mesmo cirurgião. Resultados: Em ambas as situações, a taxa de patência foi de 67% após 72 horas, sendo que o tempo médio foi de 26 minutos com a técnica de Huaraca e de 18 minutos com o clamp tradicional (p=0,001). Conclusão: Apesar do tempo de execução mais longo, a técnica de Huaraca é medida simples e de baixo custo que pode substituir o clamp vascular tradicional.

Introduction: Reconstructive microsurgery is now an inseparable and essential branch of plastic surgery. The training is long, has a relatively high financial cost and requires a lot of the proponents. To improve this equation in favor of the formation of new microsurgeons in Brazil, it is essential to facilitate access to experimental training, using simple materials. Huaraca described a technique using a simple 5-0 mononylon thread to replace the vascular clamp, which is an indispensable instrument for microsurgical anastomosis and is generally expensive. The objective is to compare the Huaraca technique with mononylon thread and the traditional metal clamp during vascular microsurgical anastomosis. Methods: Six Wistar rats whose both femoral arteries were randomly selected for end-to-end suture after complete section, with one side performed with usual vascular clamp and the contralateral with Huaraca technique, at the same surgical time and by the same surgeon. Results: In both situations, the patency rate was 67% after 72 hours, with an average time of 26 minutes with the Huaraca technique and 18 minutes with the traditional clamp (p=0.001). Conclusion: Despite the longer execution time, the Huaraca technique is a simple and low-cost measure that can replace the traditional vascular clamp.

Submerged vascular anastomosis. A technique for vascular suturing in experimental microsurgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of submersion of the microsurgical anastomosis suture area using saline (0.9% NaCl) in an experimental laboratory during the training of medical students and resident physicians. METHODS: Wistar rats (n = 10) were selected to have the two femoral arteries sectioned and anastomosed end-to-end under optical magnification. They were randomly divided, so that on one side suturing was performed under submersion with saline, and the contralateral side was kept dry during the procedure. The surgical times, as well as the patency within 30 min and 72 h of the procedure, were evaluated. RESULTS: Six male Wistar rats survived the surgical anesthetic procedure, with the average initial weight of 243.3 g and the average artery diameter of 0.86 mm, with average time of 15.67 min for the submerged technique and 20.50 min for the dry technique (p = 0.03). The failure rates were 17 and 50% for the submerged group and the dry one, respectively (p = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Submerged microvascular suture does not compromise the patency of the vessel or increase the time of anastomosis. Therefore, it is a strategy that can be applied by the surgeon according to his/her technical preferences.

Submerged vascular anastomosis. A technique for vascular suturing in experimental microsurgery

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the impact of submersion of the microsurgical anastomosis suture area using saline (0.9% NaCl) in an experimental laboratory during the training of medical students and resident physicians. Methods: Wistar rats (n = 10) were selected to have the two femoral arteries sectioned and anastomosed end-to-end under optical magnification. They were randomly divided, so that on one side suturing was performed under submersion with saline, and the contralateral side was kept dry during the procedure. The surgical times, as well as the patency within 30 min and 72 h of the procedure, were evaluated. Results: Six male Wistar rats survived the surgical anesthetic procedure, with the average initial weight of 243.3 g and the average artery diameter of 0.86 mm, with average time of 15.67 min for the submerged technique and 20.50 min for the dry technique (p = 0.03). The failure rates were 17 and 50% for the submerged group and the dry one, respectively (p = 0.62). Conclusions: Submerged microvascular suture does not compromise the patency of the vessel or increase the time of anastomosis. Therefore, it is a strategy that can be applied by the surgeon according to his/her technical preferences.