Everything but the squeal: a guide for head and neck surgery training on the live porcine mode

Abstract

Purpose The porcine model has been demonstrated to be cost-efective for head and neck surgery training. There is no literature describing the porcine head and neck anatomy. The purpose of this study is to provide a porcine surgical guide for training head and neck residents. Methods Five head and neck dissections were performed under general anesthesia on the Large White pig model in the animal facilities of the University Hospital Fundación Jiménez. Sessions were photographed, and reference anatomical measurements were taken. Results The sternum¿chin distance (x=15.80 cm, ¿=0.44), chin¿chin distance (x=11.10 cm, ¿=2.30), prelaryngeal mus culature length (x=10.30 cm, ¿=1.92) and supraomohyoid triangle area (x=7.07 cm2 , ¿=3.91) were among the measure ments obtained. The porcine head and neck anatomy was detailed. Conclusions Head and neck porcine anatomy was thoroughly described, with emphasis on the similarities with human anatomy. The porcine model is capable of simulating human anatomy for surgery training. Keywords Head and neck · Laboratory animal model · Resident education · Training program · Anatomy · Comparative