duzce med j Duzce Medical Journal 1307-671X Duzce University 10.18678/dtfd.1809727 Hand Surgery Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery El Cerrahisi Plastik, Rekonstrüktif ve Estetik Cerrahi Measuring Resident Experience Level in an in-vitro Organic Tendon Repair Model https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1705-9781 Karanfil Ertuğrul ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1158-0193 Özlen Ümit Ozan ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9161-324X Berker Berkalp ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7206-7441 Kılıç Süleyman Mert ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3984-7117 Gezer Özçelik Edanur ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3592-6802 Tuncer Mehmet Furkan ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6808-5457 Bozdemir Yasin Burak ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2467-7302 Yiğitalp Ömer ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1730-6463 Suveren Eylem ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9077-2976 Görgü Metin ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY 04 25 2026 28 1 52 56 10 23 2025 03 28 2026 Copyright © 1999, Duzce Medical Journal 1999 Duzce Medical Journal

Aim: Tendon injuries remain challenging to treat, and successful outcomes depend on surgical precision and experience. Simulation-based models are widely used to develop these skills. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surgical experience on tendon repair quality using an in vitro chicken tendon model, focusing on tensile strength and repair time. Material and Methods: The third deep flexors of 60 adult chicken feet were used in this study. Residents were divided into three groups by experience level as novice (Group A), intermediate (Group B), and experienced (Group C), with two residents per group. Each repaired approximately 10 chicken deep flexor tendons using a standardized technique. Repairs exceeding a 5-mm suture boundary or showing excessive bulk were excluded and repeated. Repair duration and ultimate tensile force (N) were recorded. Groups were compared to evaluate the effect of residents’ experience on operative time and tendon repair strength. Results: Experienced residents achieved significantly higher tensile strength (34.55±6.51 N) compared to intermediate (24.65±6.53 N) and novice (14.91±4.50 N) groups (p<0.001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences for all groups. Repair time showed a non-significant trend toward shorter duration with 324.75±80.42 s in the experienced group compared to the 385.50±108.41 s in Group A, 370.75±69.38 s in Group B (p=0.082) Conclusion: Surgical experience was associated with significantly higher tendon repair strength, and repair time also showed a trend favoring experienced residents. The chicken tendon model provides a low-cost, accessible tool for objective training and assessment.

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