Professor A. Fahir Demirkan, Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at PAU Hospitals and Director of the 17th MicroLab Unit, stated in his speech:

“While microsurgical techniques have become an indispensable part of many surgical specialties today, basic microsurgery training is of critical importance for young surgeons. The increasing number of residents and difficulties in accessing training centers make new educational models necessary. The non-living animal models used within the scope of the MicroLab Project are highly effective in acquiring fundamental microsurgical skills. Training conducted on easily accessible models such as chicken wings and chicken thighs makes a significant contribution to the development of participants’ hand-eye coordination, microsuturing techniques, and delicate tissue-handling skills. In addition, this method offers important advantages as it does not require ethics committee procedures and reduces the use of laboratory animals. Within the scope of the project, carried out with the financial support of the TİSK Microsurgery Foundation and the scientific contributions of ACELEMDER, the goal is to establish 20 MicroLab units throughout Türkiye. As Pamukkale University, we are delighted to host the 17th unit of this project. We believe that this laboratory will make significant contributions to the educational development of our students, residents, and young surgeons. I would like to thank all institutions and stakeholders who have supported the project.”

Professor A. Fahir Demirkan: “We Are Investing in the Future of Microsurgery Education”

Professor Türker Özkan, Member of the Board of Directors of the TİSK Microsurgery Foundation, stated in his speech that he was pleased with the opening of the 17th of the 20 training centers planned across Türkiye within the scope of the MicroLab Project, which is being carried out with the financial support of the TİSK Microsurgery Foundation and the scientific contributions of ACELEMDER, at the Orthopedics and Traumatology/Hand Surgery Clinic of the Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine.

Emphasizing the importance of microsurgery training in the professional development of young surgeons, Özkan stated:

“We would like to thank all those who contributed to the realization of this project, especially Özgür Burak Akkol, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the TİSK Microsurgery Foundation, as well as all foundation executives, Pamukkale University Rector Professor Mahmud Güngör, Faculty of Medicine Dean Professor İbrahim Türkçüer, Chief Physician Professor Hakan Alkan, Director of the 17th MicroLab Unit Professor A. Fahir Demirkan, members of the MicroLab Commission, supporting faculty members, healthcare professionals, and the Zeiss Vista family. We hope that the MicroLab unit will be beneficial for our university, our students, and microsurgery education in our country.”