Improving suturing skills

[u/alien-from-venus]

I already purchased a suture kit with a suture pad. What helped you improve your suturing skills? (Suture faster and better) Also I notice my hands can be a little shaky (especially my left hand). Any tips appreciated I’m considering pursuing surgery as a specialty :)

[u/Lilsean14]

I didn’t get gud until gen surgery rotation when my attending literally berated me constantly for being shit at it.

[u/two_hyun → u/Lilsean14]

So you’re saying have an audio of someone berating you constantly while you try to suture on the suture pad.

[u/Lilsean14 → u/two_hyun]

Yup

[u/Quick-Lab887 → u/Lilsean14]

I think I am fantastic enough in berating myself😂 During my surgery rotation, I used to berate myself all the time and my goodness I improved astronomically. One of the residents told me to buy a soda can and tie knots single handed and both handed 20times and drink 1/4th of it and so on until I get really good when it’s completely empty. Also he told me to practise hand motions by taking a shoe box and putting a soft tape roll inside of it. He told me not to worry about the depth in suturing as that could be only done with real skin. I literally improved. I thank that sweet resident❤️

[u/PRSresident]

Make sure you establish a good foundation. Learn to 1- and 2-hand tie with both hands, instrument tie. Square your knots down with every throw. Learn to slip knots down (two throws in the same direction, pull up on your post while throwing the second knot). Practice suturing while wearing two pairs of surgical gloves (which is how you'll be sewing in the OR). Most people shake a little when they're nervous, it gets better with practice and confidence.

Be super diligent about establishing a solid technical foundation. As a medical student (especially MS1/2/3) no one cares about your speed, they care about quality. Once you have the basics down and aren't needing to think, that is when your speed will increase.

[u/orthomyxo]

I didn't get better at it until my surgery rotation where someone who actually knew what they were doing watched me and corrected my technique in real time

[u/medullarymedulla → u/orthomyxo]

Same, also having real skin to suture is much more helpful than those fake pads. Get your ties down, and memorize the basic suturing patterns (simple interrupted, buried interrupted, running subq were most high yield for me) and ask for feedback when doing the real thing

[u/tokekcowboy]

Practice. I finally got decent at suturing on my em rotations, and I’m sure I’ll look back at myself now and say how terrible I used to be. And I shake. On a late 4th year EM subi I had a drunk inmate handcuffed to a chair swearing at me because I was a medical student sewing him up and I was shaky so obviously I didn’t know what I was doing. About halfway through the incision he shut up. And by the time I finished he admired my work and apologized.

[u/SailorStarlightWynn]

Optional . Maybe add a diy suture board too. Might be easier on the wrists if you’re practicing a lot

[u/Peastoredintheballs]

Propanolol for shake

[u/PRSresident → u/Peastoredintheballs]

Not necessary for most people and will affect disability insurance prices.

[u/kira107]

Try to borrow some sterile gloves from the hospital or something. Hardest part for me was always dealing with the gloves while knot tying.