Background Acquisition of Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) are essential for medical students. The objective was to determine it’s fidelity impact. Methods Using four suturing models (SM) (pigskin, sponge, commercial pad, and orange), SM-quality and student-SM interaction were evaluated. After a 1-h class, participants were divided into groups and randomly assigned exercises in SM in 15-min intervals. The experiment included completing three individual simple stitches and a 3-stitch continuous suture in each SM. Results Eighty-two medical students participated. Suturing quality was better in pigskin and sponge, which were also the preferred models (p < 0.001). Significant differences in quality between the insertion and exit point, and firmness of knots (p < 0.05) in both simple and continuous sutures, as well as between length and distance in continuous ones (p < 0.001) were identified. Conclusions Acquisition and quality of BSS are influenced by the intrinsic characteristics of SM. An adequate degree of resistance, consistency, and elasticity are necessary.

There is an increasing demand of small-diameter vascular grafts for treatment of circulatory pathologies. Decellularization offers the possibility of using human blood vessels as scaffolds to create vascular grafts. Umbilical vessels have great potential because of their availability and morphological characteristics. Various decellularization techniques have been used in umbilical vessels, but consensus on which is the most appropriate has not yet been reached. The objective of this review is to analyze the morphological and biomechanical characteristics of decellularized human umbilical arteries and veins with different techniques. Evidence indicates that the umbilical vessels are a viable option to develop small-diameter vascular grafts. Detergents are the agents most often used and with most evidence. However, further studies are needed to accurately analyze the components of the extracellular matrix and biomechanical characteristics, as well as the capacity for recellularization and in vivo functionality.

Transpedicular spinal fusion is the most commonly used fixation technique for the surgical treatment of vertebral disorders. However, the instrumentation of the thoracic spine using this technique continues to be controversial. The objective of the present study was to determine the morphometric characteristics of the thoracic pedicle and to establish how these characteristics vary with gender and age. Two hundred thoracic spines (4800 thoracic pedicles) from individuals of known gender and age were analyzed (in accordance with the order of vertebrae). The spines were divided into six groups according to age and gender. The horizontal and vertical diameters of the thoracic pedicle were determined for each piece. The mean and standard deviation of each variable were determined, and differences between age groups for each gender were evaluated using parametric correlation tests. The pedicle diameters of men and women differed significantly for most groups (P < 0.05). The horizontal diameters decreased from T1 to T5 and increased up to T12. The vertical diameter followed a cephalocaudal pattern of development from T1-T12. The pedicle diameters decreased with increasing age in women, while the opposite trend was observed in men. In men, the dimensions of the thoracic spine pedicle increase with increasing age; in women, they decrease. These differences should be taken into account when selecting the appropriate pedicle screw.

Background Surgical technique is an important part of resident training, which is the reason why various models have been implemented to acquire this skill. Animal models have been useful in teaching dermatologic suturing techniques. With the advancements in technology, simulators have been developed for these exercises, but at a very high cost. The use of pig heads and freshly killed animals have proven to be effective and low-cost. However, they do not reproduce skin pathologies with accuracy. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a live anesthetized rat model to simulate skin pathologies requiring surgical excision in a dermatologic suture workshop for residents. Methods We analyze the outcome of a theoretical and practical suturing workshop using live Wistar rats with 13 dermatology residents. Results The residents showed an improvement in surgical maneuvers, suturing techniques, and in the use of surgical instruments (p < 0.01). Conclusion The model proposed in the present study was economic, easy to obtain and to manage, and it portrays live and accurate skin response to manipulation. Therefore, it is effective for conducting surgical training sessions in dermatology.

Introduction.Spinal fusion surgery using transpedicular fixation is the most common technique for surgical treatment of spinal pathologies of any etiology. The morphometric characteristics of the vertebral pedicle determine the size and shape of pedicle implants. The objective of this study is to determine the morphometric characteristics of the lumbar vertebral pedicle in Mexican population by direct measurement of bone parts. Materials and Methods. We analyzed 65 L1-L5 cadaver lumbar spines from a collection of bone specimens from the Department of Human Anatomy. Pedicle width, height, and length were determined bilaterally in each sample studied. We obtained measures of central tendency, and parametric correlation tests were performed with a 95% confidence interval to determine if significant differences exist between the lumbar vertebral levels. Results. Pedicle width increased from L1 to L5. We obtained a minimum mean value of 7.40 ± 1.84 mm at L1 and a maximum mean value of 14.74 ± 3.77 mm at L5. Pedicle height decreased from L1 to L4 with a subsequent increase at L5. We obtained a maximum mean value of 18.32 ± 4.15 mm at L5 and minimum mean value of 14.09 mm ± 2.75 at L4. Significant differences were observed (P < 0.05) when groups were compared. Conclusions. This study accurately describes the morphometric characteristics of the lumbar vertebral pedicle. These data will be useful for correct selection and positioning of transpedicular screws.