Learning Surgical Fundamentals in the Digital Age, a YouTube Review

YouTube has become a widely used resource for medical students and trainees seeking instruction in surgical skills, including suturing techniques. While accessible, YouTube lacks formal peer review, raising concerns about the quality and reliability of its educational content. This study analyzes the landscape of YouTube suturing videos, with a focus on content quality, instructor background, and engagement patterns.

To characterize YouTube's suturing instruction videos by evaluating the background of instructors, suture techniques demonstrated, and viewer engagement, in order to identify trends in educational content and areas for improvement.

This cross-sectional study included 303 YouTube videos selected for English-language suturing instruction. Videos were categorized by the instructor's medical specialty and the suture patterns demonstrated. Engagement metrics, including view count and like count, were analyzed to assess viewer preferences and trends.

Videos created by healthcare professionals, particularly those with surgical backgrounds, attracted the highest levels of engagement. Plastic and general surgeons produced 6 of the 10 most-viewed videos, while oral-maxillofacial surgeons had the highest median view count per video and neurosurgeons had the highest median like count. Fundamental suture patterns, such as subcuticular running, simple interrupted, and simple running, were the most popular, aligning with the needs of trainees. However, advanced suturing techniques were underrepresented, suggesting a gap in available instructional content.

This study highlights the importance of healthcare professionals in producing high-quality YouTube content to meet the demand for reliable medical education. While fundamental techniques are well-represented, there is a need for comprehensive, high-quality tutorials on advanced suturing methods. By expanding educational content, medical professionals can enhance the quality of open-access surgical education for a global audience.