The excimer laser-assisted nonocclusive anastomosis practice model: development and application of a tool for practicing microvascular anastomosis techniques.

Objective: To practice microsurgical skills, several experimental models are available that diminish the need for experimental animals. We defined criteria with which such models should comply, and we tested whether the models described in literature, as well as our own practice model, comply with these criteria.

Methods: We defined the criteria to which these models should comply, and we performed a literature search on microvascular practice models.