title: A portable tensiometer for assessing surgeon's knot tying technique.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of surgeon's tying technique on knot security using O and 2-O monofilament and multifilament nylon sutures. By use of an Instron Tensile Tester and a portable tensiometer, knot security was achieved with these sutures using four-throw square knots (1 = 1 = 1 = 1). After didactic and psychomotor skill training, medical students were taught to construct the four-throw square knot using either a two-hand tie or an instrument tie. By use of the portable tensiometer, their knot tying techniques were judged to be superior to those used by a cohort of obstetricians and gynecologists. The surgeon's faulty technique can easily be corrected by didactic information and psychomotor skill training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Batra
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Towler
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D013536:Suture Techniques; D013718:Tensile Strength