Microsurgery education in Spain

Prior to microsurgery practice on patients, microsurgical skills should be learned in a simulated and controlled environment to increase success rates and reduce surgical complications. These favorable environments have historically been the microsurgery laboratories. The use of the experimental animals has allowed surgical trainees to interact with anatomical structures and physiological processes that a microsurgeon has to face in daily clinical scenarios. In recent decades, there has been an increase in simulation methods to reduce the number of animals used for training purposes and thus meet animal welfare criteria. Spain has a long history in the practice and teaching of microsurgery, this manuscript aims to highlight the importance of first educators, as well as to evaluate the current situation and future perspectives.