A method for teaching techniques of office surgery

A method of instruction in basic wound repair and the teaching of suturing skills such as might be used in the office or Emergency Room is described which has been used effectively in family practice resident training. The method utilizes pigs' feet with four specific exercises and objectives accomplished: (1) stellate or Y-shaped laceration; (2) semi-circular, bevelled, flap-type laceration; (3) elliptical, excisional biopsy with "dog ear" correction; and (4) Z-plasty revision. Diagrams are provided, explicitly demonstrating proper techniques of the above exercises. A brief comment on skill evaluation concludes the paper.