The laboratory is used for both research and microsurgical training. It has capabilities for a wide variety of research studies. Equipment includes five Wild/Leica two-person operating microscopes with video observation and documentation, a novel fluorescence imaging platform, histologic and immunohistochemical analysis (including microtome and cryostat), and other basic cellular and molecular biological equipment and techniques. All orthopaedic residents at the Medical College of Wisconsin take a standard 40-hour training course to learn the basic skills of microvascular and peripheral nerve surgery.
The lab director, Brian C. Cooley, Ph.D. has over 30 years' experience as a microsurgery instructor and research scientist, with over 80 publications in the peer-reviewed literature. The laboratory offers year-round instruction to Medical College of Wisconsin personnel and outside parties for 16-hour "Introduction to Microsurgery" courses and 40-hour basic and advanced microsurgery training courses in the following specialties: plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopaedic surgery, hand surgery, neurosurgery, periodontal surgery, oral/maxillofacial surgery, vascular/cardiothoracic surgery, urology, and OB/GYN, as well as custom training in various small animal microsurgical procedures.
Research investigations conducted in the laboratory have spanned a broad range of topics and include: 1) factors affecting success of free flap transfer; 2) new antithrombotic therapies for preventing microvascular thrombosis, as well as large-artery and deep vein thrombosis; 3) evaluation of microsurgical hand tremor; 4) causes of vein graft failure; and 5) causes of spine fusion surgery failure.
Further information can be received from Dr. Cooley by phone (414) 456-8729, or by e-mail: bcooley@mcw.edu