To compare the effects between the dual-cycle intensive training mode (DCITM) of "teaching-in vitro-in vivo-summary-in vitro-in vivo-assessment" and the single-cycle basic training mode (BTM) of "teaching-in vitro-in vivo-assessment" on training graduate students majoring in cardiovascular surgery.

Eight graduate students majoring in cardiovascular surgery received the basic training of coronary artery bypass vascular anastomosis under the mode of BTM or DCITM. Then the training effects were evaluated by scoring of experts. Besides, SPSS 17.0 statistical software was used to analyze the evaluation results.

Compared with students who received BTM, the postgraduates trained by DCITM became more skilled in vascular anastomosis. In vitro, the average number of anastomosis completed by trainee increased significantly [(2.0±1.0) vs. (5.0±1.5), P<0.05] over a specified period of time, the vascular leakage rate was significantly reduced [(92±5)% vs. (30±2)%, P<0.05], and the average time per anastomosis was significantly shorter [in vitro: (20.1±2.5) min vs. (12.6±3.3) min, P<0.05]. There was also a statistically significant difference in the average time of each anastomosis in miniature pigs with coronary vascular anastomosis [in vivo: (30±2) min vs. (21±3) min, P<0.05].

Taken into together, DCITM is a highly efficient mode for promoting the quality of cardiovascular-surgery-teaching and enhancing the effectiveness of training in clinical surgical skills.

Cardiovascular surgery; Clinical graduate; Training mode