Resumo

PADILLA, Luis et al. Microsurgery unit: 30 years of clinical experience, continuous training and research. Cir. gen [online]. 2011, vol.33, n.3, pp.196-202. ISSN 1405-0099.

We describe 30 years of clinical, training and research activities in two Microsurgery Units. The Experimental Surgery Service of the National Medical Center ''20 de Noviembre'' from the ISSSTE (Mexican Health and Welfare Institute for government employees) and the Department of Surgery of the School of Medicine, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico), both located in Mexico City, participating in 121 clinical cases resolved with microsurgical techniques in seven different specialties. At the ISSSTE, from 1977 to 2007, 104 courses on ''Vascular Microsurgery'' have been given and 453 surgeons and residents have been trained in surgical techniques. At the UNAM, from 1984 to 2007, 364 students have been trained in 67 courses. Since 1979, we have experimentally studied vascular microprostheses of biological or synthetic origin of 1 to 2 mm in diameter in substitution of aorta and cava vein segments in rats, giving rise to six publications. Since 1996, we have been studying the ''angiogenesis'' phenomenon as treatment for lower extremities with critical ischemia. Based on previous studies, the Ethics and Research Committee of the ISSSTE-Medical Center approved a research protocol in patients with that pathology, accumulating, until this date, 26 extremities with bone marrow-derived stem cells, applied through intramuscular injection and through distal venous route at the level of the saphenous vein. From 2004 to 2009, five extremities have been amputated and 21 have been saved; the results of the study are being evaluated for publication. Hospitals with programs for the training of residents in surgical specialties must have a laboratory of microsurgery for the basic and continuous training and for the design of research protocols, to be able to offer solutions to the patients with microsurgical techniques.

Palavras-chave : Vascular microsurgery; continuous training; research; angiogenesis.