Learning microvascular anastomosis: Analysis of practice patterns.

Performing a successful microsurgical vascular anastomosis (MVA) is challenging and requires lots of practice. However, the most efficient practice protocol is yet to be found. We aimed to compare and analyze two major practice patterns for fine motor tasks as applied to learning MVA: distributed and mass practice protocols. Ten neurosurgeons with comparable experience in microsurgery (but no experience in vascular anastomosis) were randomized to practice MVA either using a distributed (1 session/day) or a mass practice (6 sessions/day) protocol. A total of 24 sessions of practice and 2 recall test sessions were given. Anastomosis score, time to complete a single stitch and the total time to complete an anastomosis were recorded. Mass practice protocol caused a clear fatigue effect observed toward the end of each mass practice trial block. Statistical comparison using one-way analysis of variance showed significantly higher anastomosis scores and shorter times to place a single stitch as well as to complete the anastomosis in distributed practice group for the last 3 acquisition practice trials, and the 2 recall tests (p < 0.05). The relative advantage of the distributed practice protocol could be attributed to forgetting/spacing effect. Although mass practice protocol resulted in worse performance, it still showed a gradual improvement trend in performance from beginning to the end. Therefore, certain adjustments to a mass practice protocol (such as increasing the number of practice blocks) could potentially lead to an eventual performance level comparable to a distributed protocol. This point is a subject of further investigation.

Resumen tomado de PubMed (NCBI) para el registro citado, en el idioma original. La versión de referencia es la de la publicación original.

El resumen se deja sin traducir para conservar la redacción original de los autores.

In a randomized study of ten neurosurgeons learning microvascular anastomosis, distributed practice (one session/day) produced significantly higher scores and shorter stitch and anastomosis times than mass practice (six sessions/day) in the final trials and recall tests, though mass practice still improved gradually.

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

Más estudios revisados por pares en la categoría «Ensayos clínicos».

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Reverse Sural Flap Venous Congestion Successfully Managed With Enoxaparin in a Male Patient With a Traumatic Foot Crush Injury: A Case Report — Velasco-Bustamante J et al. (2026)
• Investigación de los efectos terapéuticos del tratamiento con sanguijuelas medicinales sobre la lesión por isquemia-reperfusión de la extremidad inferior — Ünal K et al. (2026)
• Efficacy of Medicinal Leech Therapy in Diverse Clinical Applications: A Comprehensive Study from Azerbaijan — Farzali S et al. (2025)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY: CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW — Heinz P et al. (2020)
• Hirudoterapia en la cicatrización de heridas — Nair H et al. (2022)
• Improvement of patient care through hirudotherapy and the management of leeches from their reception to their disposal in France — Vaesken C et al. (2023)

Ver toda la investigación analizada por la ASH →