'Surgical skills box': a new training aid for surgical trainees.
BACKGROUND
Surgical trainees now receive less operating experience with the reduction in junior doctor hours.


METHODS
We designed a simple, portable, versatile 'surgical skills box' which allowed surgical trainees to practise vascular anastomosis, suturing, tonsil ties, hand ties and grommet insertion.


CONCLUSIONS
With surgical trainees now receiving reduced operating experience it is more important than ever for them to practise their surgical skills outside the operating theatre environment.
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK. esmond@doctors.org.uk
E R M
ER
Carr
E
E
Benjamin
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000193:education; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation / Q000193:education; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000601:surgery; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education