Improving Microsurgery Foundational Skills Acquisition Through Short Simulation Courses in Rwanda

Background: Microsurgery is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of reconstructive surgical practice, yet training opportunities remain scarce in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this gap, a 2-day simulation-based microsurgery course was held in Kigali as part of the preconference activities of the Pan-African Conference in February 2025. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of short-term microsurgery training and evaluate the preliminary impact of the course on participants’ microsurgical skills. Methods: Pre- and posttraining surveys were administered to course participants, assessing comfort and confidence across 6 core skill domains: microscope handling, instrument manipulation, needle control, vessel preparation, end-to-end anastomosis, and judging the patency of an anastomosis as well as anxiety related to performing microsurgery. Responses were recorded on a Likert-type scale using a 0–100 format. Paired analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Qualitative feedback was also collected to assess the perceived value and suggested improvements for future sessions. Results: Eighteen participants completed pre- and/or posttraining surveys (14 completed both). Statistically meaningful improvements were observed in participants’ comfort and confidence across all skill domains ( P < 0.05). Participants reported a significant decrease in anxiety ( P < 0.02). Qualitative responses emphasized high satisfaction with the course, with many requesting more frequent sessions and earlier integration of microsurgical skills into training. Conclusions: Short-duration, simulation-based microsurgery training had a positive, measurable impact on technical confidence and psychological readiness among surgical trainees in Rwanda. These findings highlight the feasibility and importance of expanding access to structured microsurgical education across sub-Saharan Africa and support efforts to integrate such training into national surgical training frameworks.