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Here we present a training and testing system where a trainee can complete manual vascular reconstruction in vitro individually using a magnetic anchoring technique. The system can also be used to test the quality of reconstruction.
Manual vascular reconstruction training is essential for a beginner surgeon. However, an optimal training system for vascular reconstruction in vitro has yet to be developed. In this study, we introduce an in vitro training and testing system using a magnetic anchoring technique with which a trainee can practice manual vascular reconstruction individually. Additionally, this system can also be used to test the quality of the reconstruction. The described system includes a vascular reconstruction training machine, magnetic tractors, and a magnetic suture puller. In this manuscript, we detail an end-to-end vein anastomosis using porcine right and left iliac veins. To identify the potential damage caused by a magnetic suture puller on the suture, we created three groups with six segments of 4-0 polypropylene sutures each: a control group with no intervention on the polypropylene suture, a group in which the polypropylene suture is manually pulled with sterile gloves 20x, and a magnetic puller group in which the magnetic puller pulled the polypropylene suture 20x. These groups were tested by light microscopy and breaking strength tests, and the effect of reconstruction was assessed. In the light microscopy test, the control group was less likely to be damaged (p < 0.05) and the number of damaged points of the manual group and magnetic puller group were similar (p > 0.05). The results of the breaking strength test were compared across groups and no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). The end-to-end anastomosis of the porcine iliac veins was successfully performed using this training system, and the reconstructed veins could undergo 2.0 kPa perfusion pressure. Using this training and testing system the trainee can practice manual vascular reconstruction in vitro individually with the aid of magnetic tractors and a magnetic suture puller, and the quality of the reconstruction can be tested.
Vascular reconstruction is a basic skill required for surgeons. Although Obora1 and Holt2 invented several mechanical reconstruction methods to simplify the reconstruction of small vessels (diameters <10 mm), these methods are not commonly applied in macrovascular anastomosis. Manual vascular anastomosis is still performed in many operations, including vascular surgery3, emergency surgery4, and solid organ transplantation5. Thus, it is essential for surgeons to practice manual vascular anastomosis. However, an optimal training system for vascular reconstruction in vitro is uncommon, and inexperienced surgeons must undergo considerable training in vivo on large animals6 before they can master the technique. Because failure is inevitable during initial training, many animals are likely to die of vascular complications, which is concerning regarding animal welfare. Further, during the procedure of end-to-end vascular reconstruction, to avoid mistakes in stitch positions or loose sutures, the surgeon needs at least one assistant to expose the posterior vascular wall and pull the suture. Thus, vascular reconstruction usually cannot be performed by the surgeon individually, and the efficiency of preparation is usually limited by the proficiency of the assistant.
Magnetic anchoring surgery has become a topic of interest in recent years7,8,9,10,11. The clinical trial by Rivas et al.7 showed that with his magnetic surgical instrument and following the principle of magnetic anchoring, surgeons can perform reduced-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of this instrument also allows for a reduced role for the assistant during open surgery. Through the magnetic field, the magnetic device is adsorbed onto an anchoring point. This magnetic anchoring device can act as a mechanical arm, grasping and retracting the tissue or organ, exposing the surgical field, and simplifying the operation. Based on this rationale, we invented magnetic tractors to retract the vascular wall and suture, and a magnetic suture puller to pull the polypropylene sutures.
The use of a vascular reconstruction training machine was another milestone in this study. It consists of an operating floor and a control panel: the vasculature is fixed on the operating floor, and the trainee can practice on it. After anastomosis, the trainee can set the perfusion parameters on the control panel in order to test the quality of anastomosis. Compared to previous vascular anastomosis training systems6,12,13,14, the use of this system provides two main advantages: First, magnetic devices can be used to expose the surgical field, so that the trainees can practice on it individually. Second, the trainee can check the effect of anastomosis using a perfusion test.
In the present study, we introduce a training and testing system where the trainee can complete manual vascular reconstruction in vitro individually using a magnetic anchoring technique and the quality of reconstruction can also be tested. Limited by the design and size of the water inlet and water outlet on the operating floor, the training system can only perform end-to-end reconstruction on vessels with a >5 mm diameter.
The protocol was carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
1. Preparation prior to the training
NOTE: The vascular reconstruction training machine is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a control panel and an operating floor.
2. Fix the veins on the operating floor
3. Anastomosis of posterior walls
4. Anastomosis of anterior walls
5. Test the effect of anastomosis
6. Checking the safety of the magnetic suture puller
NOTE: To test whether the magnetic suture puller damaged the polypropylene suture, perform the breaking strength and light microscopy tests. In this experiment, three groups with six segments of 4-0 polypropylene suture in each were tested: a control group with no intervention on the polypropylene suture, a manual group in which the polypropylene suture was manually pulled with sterile gloves 20x, and a magnetic puller group in which the magnetic puller pulled the polypropylene suture 20x.
The vascular reconstruction training machine is shown in Figure 1 and includes two main parts: the operating floor and the control panel. The operating floor consists of a water inlet, a water outlet, and a water storage basin. The two ends of the vasculature are tied to the water inlet and water outlet to test the effect of anastomosis. The length of the water outlet is adjustable, and we set the parameters (e.g., the perfusion pressure, duration of peak pressure, temperature, and pressure ...
With the help of magnetic tractors and a magnetic suture puller, a trainee can complete vein anastomosis individually and precisely. Magnetic tractors pull the tissue that blocks the anastomosis field and provide suitable strength for stretching the veins in a vertical direction, thus achieving clear exposure for vein anastomosis. In traditional manual anastomosis, at least one assistant is required for surgical exposure. The use of magnetic tractors could achieve the required exposure and substitute for assistants. In a...
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Education Innovation Team Development Program of China (No. IRT1279).
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Circular permanent magnet | Hangzhou Permanent Magnet Group Co.LTD | 20*1mm | Magnetic tractor |
Magnetic balls | Hangzhou Permanent Magnet Group Co.LTD | 5mm | Magnetic suture puller |
Magnetic cylinders | Hangzhou Permanent Magnet Group Co.LTD | 5*5mm | Magnetic suture puller |
Polypropylene suture | Johnson and Johnson | PROLENE 4-0 | Used for anastomosis |
Silk suture | SILK | 2-0,3-0 | Used for fixing vascular and ligation |
Surgical insturments | Jinzhong Shanghai | JZ-2018 | Suture scissors, tissue scissors, forceps, needle and needle holder |
Universal testing machine | Zwick GmbH&Co | Z010 | Used for testing the association between the length of traction wire and the traction force |
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