The use of chicken legs for teaching wound closure skills

Abstract

Objective: Training models are required to impart surgical skills, like wound closure techniques, prior to practice in patients. In an ideal case, the tissue characteristics of the model are close to those of humans, easy to create and of low cost. Methods: Here, we describe a model to train students in wound closure technique using conventional chicken legs obtained from the supermarket. Results: The described model has good tissue characteristics, does not require any lavish preparation and is of minimal cost (0.62 Euro or 0.78 USD). Conclusions: Chicken legs appear to be an appropriate tool for teaching wound closure techniques. © I. Holzapfel Publishers 2009.