Review Article

Basic Plastic Surgery Skills Training Program on Inanimate Bench Models during Medical Graduation

Table 1

Advantages and disadvantages of inanimate bench models [8, 9, 3149] adopted as learning tools in this basic plastic surgery training program.

Inanimate bench modelsFidelityInfection risk Financial costs*Availability*Easy handlingReutilization**

Parts of postmortem animals
 Ox tongueHighPresent+++Variable++Possible
 Cattle skinHighPresent+++Variable++Possible
 Pig skinHighPresent+++Variable++Possible
 Chicken skinHighPresent+++Variable++Possible
Organic material
 Fruits and vegetablesLowPresent++Variable+++Possible
Synthetic material
 Ethylene-vinyl acetateLowAbsent+Variable+++Unlimited

Varies according to seasonality and geographical region; **limited by risk of infections and natural deterioration of material.