Microsurgery Manual
An illustrated surgical guide created for the René Remie Surgical Training Centre in the Netherlands, designed to help students learn microsurgical techniques before performing procedures themselves.
The guide presents the step-by-step process of performing a thymectomy on a mouse, using clean line-art illustrations to clearly communicate surgical technique, anatomy, and instrument placement. The visual style was developed to align with the center's existing educational materials and to remain legible within a practical reference manual.
I observed the microsurgical procedure firsthand and worked with the instructors to determine which steps and anatomical details were most important for students to understand. The resulting guide transforms the procedure into a structured visual sequence that students can study before entering the laboratory, supporting the school's goal of reducing reliance on live specimens during initial instruction.
Developing a Visual Language
Consistency is key when illustrating a step-by-step surgical procedure. Using the same line weights, patterns, and colors throughout the sequence allows students to easily recognize anatomical structures from one step to the next.
A defined visual language also gives different line styles specific meanings. For example, dotted lines indicate anatomical structures hidden beneath the surface, while dashed lines indicate the planned line of incision.
Deciding What to Show
A successful surgical illustration does not need to show every minute detail of a procedure. For a student learning microsurgery, too much information can be just as difficult to navigate as too little.
Working from my observations of the procedure and discussions with the instructors, I determined which steps were essential to understanding the sequence and which details needed additional visual emphasis. The final guide focuses on the anatomical landmarks, instrument positioning, and key actions that students need to recognize as they progress through the procedure.