Attributes of a Good Microsurgeon—A Brief Counsel to the Up-and-Coming Prospects

Abstract

Microsurgery, which deservedly sits on top of the reconstruction ladder, has been a boon to plastic surgery. It is because of this marvelous tool that plastic surgeons the world over have been able to tackle many reconstructive dilemmas, which were once considered to be an improbability. Microsurgery-aided revolutions have rendered a new meaning to all forms of reconstruction—whether it is postoncological, posttraumatic, or postlymphedema reconstruction. As the most advanced reconstructive medium at our disposal that has broadened the horizons of plastic surgery exponentially, it is but obvious that many budding plastic surgeons are drawn toward this subspecialty. In lieu of the aforementioned facts, it is necessary to sensitize all such aspiring surgeons about the various intricacies concerning the field of microsurgery. This article with its focus on the six desirable microsurgical attributes of “Clarity, Curiosity, Perseverance, Passion, An Open Mindset and Action,” is meant to be a modest attempt on part of the authors to share their microsurgical insights, procured through their respective journeys, with budding aspirants, hoping to sensitize as well as motivate them for the challenging path that lies ahead.

How to Start and Build Microsurgery Practice—Topics on Success and Sustainability: Global/International

“…To become a true microsurgeon, one must lose 100 flaps, as the senior author’s mentor, Professor Yoon Kyu Chung, once said. 1 This statement is not meant to justify losing flaps but rather to console surgeons who have experienced such losses. The lesson from this wisdom is that one must learn from failure, agony, success, and ultimately happiness while building a microsurgery practice.…”

Nerve Regeneration after a Nerve Graft in a Rat Model: The Effectiveness of Fibrin Glue

“…This technique, despite being the current standard treatment, has several limitations; in fact, a microsurgical suture can be a time-consuming and technically intricate process, particularly in challenging situations with small-diameter nerves, requiring appropriate surgical skills [9][10][11]. Moreover, the use of sutures in nerve repair might not guarantee complete neural regeneration due to tissue responses such as inflammation and scarring at the repair site [12,13], phenomena of Wallerian degeneration [14] and the possible occurrence of a neuroma at the site of anastomosis due to a granulomatous reaction [15,16].…”