Bucatini Pasta, Japanese Shirataki Konjac Noodles, and Artificial Vessels: In Search of the Ideal Low-cost Vessel Simulator for Microsurgical Education

NCT07006766 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2023-1534A539730
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 10
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of training models that are accessible, reproducible, and geared toward new learners. Specifically, the investigators aim to compare the four following models: Japanese shirataki konjac noodle, "Dragon skin" silicone vessel, standard silicone vessel, and the "blue-blood" chicken thigh model. This information will be valuable in assessing the utility of implementing a Japanese shirataki konjac noodle model in beginner microsurgical courses for both local and global education and outreach.

Conditions

Surgical Procedure, Unspecified

Keywords

microsuture; microsurgery; surgical training; microsurgical education; global; accessibility; noodle; synthetic; vessel; anastomosis; patency; education; outreach; low-cost; microsurgical simulation; simulation; vessel simulator

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Time to Perform Anastomosis

  up to 30 min

• Number of Stitches

  up to 30 min

• Patency (either Yes or No)

  Patency is the condition of being 'open'.

  up to 30 min

Study Arms (1)

Microsurgical training

Participants will complete pre-exercise surveys, attempt 4 microsurgical anastomoses, and complete post-exercise surveys.

Other: Microsurgical Training Models

Interventions

Microsurgical Training Models OTHER

Four models will be compared: Japanese shirataki konjac noodle, "Dragon skin" silicone vessel, standard silicone vessel from Microsurgery and Regenerative Medicine (MSRM) lab, and the "blue-blood" chicken thigh model.

Microsurgical training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Surgical residents or individual with no formal microsurgical education.

You may qualify if:

• Participant is able to commit 1-2 hours to the study.
• Participants must either be a surgical resident or an individual with no formal surgery/microsurgery education. Five participants will be placed into each of these two categories.

You may not qualify if:

• Participant is unable to commit 1-2 hours to the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead

Study Sites (1)

UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Prunieres GJ, Taleb C, Hendriks S, Miyamoto H, Kuroshima N, Liverneaux PA, Facca S. Use of the Konnyaku Shirataki noodle as a low fidelity simulation training model for microvascular surgery in the operating theatre. Chir Main. 2014 Apr;33(2):106-11. doi: 10.1016/j.main.2013.12.003. Epub 2014 Feb 4.

  PMID: 24603055 BACKGROUND

• Mohammad S, Hanstein R, Lo Y, Levy IM. Validating a Low-Fidelity Model for Microsurgical Anastomosis Training. JB JS Open Access. 2021 Jul 16;6(3):e20.00148. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.OA.20.00148. eCollection 2021 Jul-Sep.

  PMID: 34291182 BACKGROUND

• Ng ZY, Honeyman C, Lellouch AG, Pandya A, Papavasiliou T. Smartphone-Based DIY Home Microsurgical Training with 3D Printed Microvascular Clamps and Japanese Noodles. Eur Surg Res. 2023;64(2):301-303. doi: 10.1159/000521439. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

  PMID: 34915484 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Samuel Poore, MD, PhD

  UW School of Medicine and Public Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 27, 2025
• First Posted: June 5, 2025
• Study Start: December 23, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 15, 2025
• Study Completion: February 15, 2025
• Last Updated: June 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)