Educational programme
2 years educational programme (120 ECTS) in search of excellence in reconstructive microsurgery.
MRM’s educational programme consists in:
- 3 Hands-on modules ( each consisting of 3-day training courses held throughout the first year).
- 9 on-line modules followed by a Tutoring session each held throughout the 2 academic years
- The clinical immersion programme consists of 3 modules, to be held at one of our accredited training centers (a minimum of 6 weeks and a maximum of 12 months).
- An online module to develop the methodological aspects of clinical research finished with the presentation of a Master Thesis.
- A final exam.
To be awarded this Lifelong Learning Master’s Degree issued by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, trainees must complete the educational programme: pass all the modules, pass the practical assessment, do the minimal period of clinical immersion and present a research project.
If you are unable to travel, you have the possibility to take the clinical training modules on-line.
Theoretical introduction to the basic concepts of microsurgery:
- History of microsurgery
- Microscope and microsurgical instruments
- Selection of suture material for microsurgical procedures
- Basic & advanced skills in microsurgery
- Preoperative microsurgical planning
- Microsurgical flap monitoring
- Selection of right flap
- Microsurgical flap salvage
- Refinements in microsurgical reconstruction
- Fundamentals in research metodology for microsurgery
Flap dissection training using a fresh cadaver model:
- Head and neck:
Submental flap / Temporo-parietal flap / Supraclavicular flap / Free Helix Flap. - Upper limb and shoulder:
Lateral arm flap / Radial forearm flap - Lower limb and pelvis:
PAP / Lumbar perforator flap (LPF) / Inferior gluteal artery perforator flap (IGAP) / Superior gluteal artery perforator flap (SGAP) / Thigh: anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF), medial thigh flap. Gracilis (ATMG) / Osteocutaneous peroneal artery perforator flap / Propeller flaps based on peroneal and tibial perforators / Medial plantar flap - Trunk:
Internal mammary fascio-cutaneous flaps / Intercostal flaps / Scapulo-dorsal flaps: latissimus dorsi, thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP), scapular flap, parascapular flap and chimeric flaps / Internal Iliac crest: Groin flap, superficial circumflex inguinal perforator flap (SCIP), iliac crest flap / Abdominal wall flaps: musculo-cutaneous rectus abdominis flap (TRAM), deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) and Taylor, superficial inferior epigastric artery flap (SIEA) / Free lymphonode transfer
Intensive training course on basic microsurgical skills using a small animal model (rat):
- Basic management of experimental animal, microscope and instrumentation
- Microsurgical suture practice on surgical gloves
- Epineural and perineural suture of the sciatic nerve
- End-to-end suture of the carotid artery and femoral artery
- End-to-end suture of jugular and femoral vein
- Aorto-iliac end-to-end suture
- End-to-side suture of femoral artery and vein
- Jugular vein graft to carotid artery
- “In situ” groin flap
- Distant groin flap to the neck
Intensive course on dissection of perforator flaps in live animals (pig) and basic supermicrosurgical skills training:
- Perforator flap anatomy
- Preoperative planning of perforator flaps
- Dissection technique of perforator flaps
- Fundamentals of microsurgical techniques
- Head and Neck Reconstruction with Microsurgical Flaps
- Perforator Flaps in Breast Reconstruction
- Perforator Flaps in Limb Reconstruction
- Perforator Flaps in Trunk Reconstruction
“Hands on” dissection session:
- Gluteal and dorsal perforator flaps.
- Free style perforator flaps.
- Transferring the flaps to the recipient vessels.
- Super microsurgical flaps.
- Lymphatic channel dissection.
- Lymph node transfer
Introducing the Head and neck microsurgical reconstruction:
- Anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTF)
- Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TAP) with scapula
- Oncological criteria in head and neck tumors
- Reconstructive alternatives in head and neck surgery: form, function and aesthetics
- Evaluation and indications for pedicled flap versus free flap
- Selection of the right flap and recipient vessels
- Deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) with Taylor extension
- Free fibula flap and free osteocutaneous peroneal flap for bone reconstruction
- Deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap with iliac crest for bone reconstruction
- Radial forearm flap
- Racial reanimation
Introducing the breast microsurgical reconstruction:
- Oncological management in breast tumors
- Reconstructive planning in breast tumors
- Breast reconstruction with implant vs autologous tissue reconstruction
- Immediate and delayed reconstruction
- Oncoplastic breast surgery: glandular and perforator flap techniques
- Partial breast reconstruction: Oncoplastic and perforator flap techniques
- Autologus flap reconstruction with fat grafting
- Thoracic wall reconstruction
Perforator flaps in breast reconstruction:
- DIEP flap
- SIEA flap
- TAP flap
- SGAP flap
- IGAP flap
- Fat grafting
- Transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG)
- Extended TAP
- PAP
- Lumbar perforator flap
- Latissimus Dorsi
Introducing the upper limb microsurgical reconstruction:
- Oncological management of limb tumors
- Reconstructive alternatives in lower limb surgery: form, function and aesthetics
- Reconstruction following high energy lower limb trauma
- Reconstructive approaches in chronic osteomyelitis of the lower limb
- Lower limb nonunion. Microsurgical bone reconstruction
- Avoiding complications in lower limb reconstruction
- Reconstruction with epiphyseal flaps and joint transfer
Reconstruction of the lower limb defects:
- Latissimus Dorsi flap
- ALT flap
- TAP flap
- Radial forearm flap
- Osteocutaneus fibular flap
- SCIP flap
Introducing the upper limb microsurgical reconstruction:
- Brachial plexus. Introduction and surgical anatomy
- Reconstructive alternatives in brachial plexus injuries. Neurotizations. Nerve grafts. Nerve transfers
- Obstetric plexus
- Surgical approach of the peripheral nerves injuries
- Reconstructive options in upper limb surgery: form, function and aesthetics
- Upper limb nonunion. Microsurgical bone reconstruction. Special locations: humerus, scaphoid
- Oncological management of upper limb tumors
- Replantation and revascularization in upper limb
- Toe-to-hand transfer
- Congenital hand
- Allotransplantation
Reconstruction of the upper limb defects:
- Latissimus Dorsi flap
- ALT flap
- TAP flap
- Radial forearm flap
- Osteocutaneus fibular flap
- SCIP flap
Introducing the genitourinary microsurgical reconstruction:
- Anatomy and physiology of genitourinary system
- Gender reassignment approach
- Microsurgical techniques in penile reconstruction
- Reconstruction of penile defects:
Radial forearm flap / Groin flap / Sensate osteocutaneous fibula flap / ALT flap / Functional phalloplasty / Combined flaps: phalloplasty - Refinements and resolution of complications after total phallopasty
- Penile prosthesis implantation after total phalloplasty
- Bladder functional reconstruction
- Reconstruction after perineopelvic oncological resections:
Abdominoperineal / Gynecological / Urological recections - Functional pelvic floor reconstruction
Reverse vasectomy (vaso-vasostomosy) anastomosis - Microsurgery of the seminal tract
- Perineum disease repair
- Abdominal wall and gluteal reconstruction
Supermicrosurgery and microsurgical techniques in lymphedema treatment introduction:
- Acritical evaluation of results conservative treatment of Lymphedema
- Anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system
- Assessment and surgical treatment of lymphedema
- Vascularised lymphatic node transfer
- Lympho-venous anastomosis
- Combined surgical treatment for lymhedema
- Lymphangiogenesis and the role of growth factors in lymphedema
- Free vascularised nerve flaps
- Microsurgical nanoflaps
- Patient selection to different methods
- Perforator to perforator flap surgery
The educational programme includes a practical training module with feedback from facilitators. During this period, students will be involved in clinical cases focused on reconstructive microsurgery and assist in surgery, following preoperative and postoperative clinics. They will present cases to the other students and faculty to clarify doubts and evaluate the surgery.
From 6 weeks to 12 months before the end of the second year.
- Joint review of the microsurgical technique
- Presentation and discussion of complex clinical cases
- Resolution of immediate and delayed post-surgical complications involving the flaps
- Optimization of technique tailored to each student
On-line module
We need to investigate to produce knowledge that allows us to reduce the impact of health problems, which involves diagnosing and treating diseases better. The clinical research is this inescapable filter where the hypotheses that come from basic research, technological innovation or clinical practices must be tested. But for this applied research activity to be sufficiently valid and useful, we must adequately master the essential conceptual and methodological aspects related to the methodology of clinical research. Making it possible is the objective of this last module of our educational programme.
At the end of the module the student will be able to:
- Understand and know how to apply the most important concepts related to clinical research.
- Know how to ask clinical questions of different types and in a structured way.
- Promote the design of the most appropriate clinical studies to answer the clinical questions of interest.
- Conduct searches on scientific publications in a structured, comprehensive and efficient manner.
- Carry out an adequate critical appraisal to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each study.
- Understand and apply the most basic statistical concepts to calculate the different measures of association and effect.
Master Thesis
Preparation of a comprehensive written research report is an essential part of a valid research experience, and the student should be aware of this requirement at the outset of the project.
Interim reports may also be required. Sufficient time should be allowed for satisfactory completion of reports, taking into account that initial drafts should be supervised and corrected by your tutor.
