Overcoming common challenges in cadaveric models for vascular surgery training: Practical solutions for enhanced feasibility

Fresh-frozen cadaveric (FFC) models offer high anatomic fidelity for vascular simulation but are limited by thrombus burden, tissue degradation, and lack of physiologic flow. We retrospectively describe iterative refinement of seven FFC vascular training models developed at MITIE and summarize common challenges with practical solutions. Interventions included mechanical thrombectomy with saline flushing to restore patency, standardized thawing and preparation to improve tissue handling, pump-assisted circulation to enhance angiographic realism, and pre-procedure screening to exclude unsuitable anatomy. Standardized workflows reduced preparation time from 8–10 hours to ∼3 hours per cadaver, enabling multiple training sessions. These refinements provide a reproducible framework adaptable across institutions with varying resources.