The efficacy of viewing an educational video as a method for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic suturing skills.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the efficacy of viewing an educational video in the acquisition of laparoscopic suturing skills.


METHODS
A prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
Tertiary care academic medical institution.


METHODS
Twelve candidates interviewing for the female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship position at our institution.


METHODS
Candidates were evaluated in the laparoscopy laboratory before and after watching a 6-minute educational video on the basic principles of laparoscopic suturing. Each candidate evaluation included the following tasks: (1) introduction of a needle through a trocar (timed in seconds); (2) load and position a needle for suturing with a laparoscopic needle holder (evaluated by number of movements); (3) running continuous suture with 2 passes (timed in seconds); (4) intracorporeal knot tying with 2 throws (timed in seconds); and (5) extracorporeal knot tying with 2 knots (timed in seconds).


RESULTS
Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the statistical comparison of the candidates' performance before and after viewing the video. After viewing the teaching video, the total median time to perform all timed tasks improved by 20% (115.5 seconds, p = .009). Significant improvement occurred in the median time of introducing the needle through a trocar, continuous suturing, and extracorporeal knot tying (p = .02, p = .01, and p = .003, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of an educational video appears to be an effective method for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic suturing skills.
Department of Gynecologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona 85054, USA. Akl.Mohamed@mayo.edu
Mohamed N
MN
Akl
Dobie L
DL
Giles
Jaime B
JB
Long
Javier F
JF
Magrina
Rosanne M
RM
Kho
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*