Intraoperative "Spare Parts": A Novel High-fidelity Suturing Model for Trainees

Abstract

Many models exist to help the medical student learn how to suture at a competency level required to progress to suturing on patients. However, these models do not readily simulate the qualities of live human tissue. We propose a simple intraoperative high-fidelity model that places the excised autologous patient tissue (eg, panniculectomy and breast reduction) on a sterile side table to allow the trainee to practice their skills alongside the staff surgeon on comparable tissue for the remainder of the case. We believe that the adoption of this practice allows a unique opportunity for medical students to advance their suturing techniques in a low-stress environment with staff surgeon guidance, further preparing them to perform high-quality closures on live patients.

Fig. 1.

Setup for suturing model: calpel, needle driver, and blade visible. Type of suture provided at surgeon’s discretion.

Fig. 2.

Resident and attending surgeon working on patient’s (blurred) abdominal closure following completion of a unilateral DIEP flap, as the two medical students practice their suturing skills on a sterile side table using the extra abdominal tissue. DIEP indicates deep inferior epigastric perforators.