[The frequency of performing vascular anastomoses determines the learning curve in a retrospective analysis of 212 participants of the Munich course of microsurgery].

[OBJECTIVE] Microsurgical courses are a widely accepted and common method of acquiring microsurgical skills outside of the operation theatre. In-vivo models are often used to prepare surgeons for vascular microsurgery in patients. Although microsurgical courses are commonly offered and attended, the learning curve acquired in such courses remains elusive.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] The patency of end-to-end anastomoses performed by a total of 212 participants with different education levels and from different specialist fields were assessed in models of living rats. Participants attended the annually held microsurgical course at the Department for Hand, Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, between 2013 and 2018.

[RESULTS] A highly significant correlation (r = 0,658; p < 0,001) between number of trials and patent anastomoses was observed. There was no significant correlation between years of surgical experience and age and total number of patent anastomoses achieved during the course. No statistically significant difference of total number of patent anastomoses between residents and board-certified surgeons was detected.

[CONCLUSION] Looking at the steep learning curves of our participants and the high rate of patent anastomoses, we recommend the setting of microsurgical courses using in-vivo models to overcome potential failures in the beginning of vascular microsurgery careers.