Basic suture technique: Instructional videos explaining suturing for medical students in a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Dermatology
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Basic surgical skills are crucial for medical students before residency.
• Suturing is a fundamental skill for skin closure, regardless of specialty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide instructional guidance on suturing techniques for medical students.
• To enhance understanding of skin closure methods relevant to primary wound healing.

Main Methods:

• Instructional videos were developed by senior faculty.
• The videos focus on teaching suturing techniques to medical students at the University of Louisville.

Main Results:

• A needle angle of 90° or greater promotes tissue eversion, preventing inversion.
• Appropriate tissue leveling for uneven edges involves deep bites on the lower side and shallow bites on the higher side.
• Effective buried sutures require skin eversion, substantial dermal bites, and correct knot placement.

Conclusions:

• Understanding skin apposition is key for medical students.
• This knowledge prepares students for residency and primary wound healing principles.