title: A new method for the assessment of suturing ability.
abstract: A new method for the formal assessment of surgical ability in simple wound closure is presented. Suture tension and accuracy of placement are measured indirectly in a standardized rig using Lyofoam as a skin substitute. This method has been used to assess a group of seven junior hospital doctors before and after instruction in a workshop setting. Formal instruction reduced suture tension by an average of 30.3% for the group as a whole (P < 0.01). Standard deviation in inter-suture distance was reduced by an average of 39.4% (P < 0.05), suggesting increased accuracy of suture placement following teaching. On the basis of this study, it appears that those involved in suturing wounds would benefit from postgraduate instruction in workshop setting early in their career.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Platt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Caddy
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*