A NEW METHOD FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF SUTURING ABILITY

A new method for the formal assessment of surgical ability in simple w ound closure is presented. Suture tension and accuracy of placement ar e measured indirectly in a standardized rig using Lyofoam as a skin su bstitute. This method has been used to assess a group of seven junior hospital doctors before and after instruction in a workshop setting. F ormal instruction reduced suture tension by an average of 30.3% for th e group as a whole (P < 0.01). Standard deviation in inter-suture dist ance was reduced by an average of 39.4% (P < 0.05), suggesting increas ed accuracy of suture placement following teaching. On the basis of th is study, it appears that those involved in suturing wounds would bene fit from postgraduate instruction in workshop setting early in their c areer.