Comparison of Suturing Models: The Effect on Perception of Basic Surgical Skills

Abstract

laboratory. Participants completed confidence and knowledge assessments before and after the course. The program was granted educational exemption by the IRB. RESULTS:Participants demonstrated improvement on the knowledge assessment that did not meet statistical significance, with a precourse mean score of 70% AE 0.07% and a post-course mean score of 77% AE 10% (p ¼ 0.08). There were statistically significant improvements in confidence in selection of appropriate anastomotic configuration (p ¼ 0.05), identification of when to use anastomotic adjuncts (p ¼ 0.02), management of anastomotic bleeding (p ¼ 0.03), and anastomotic stricture (p ¼ 0.01), and performance of stapled side to side (p ¼ 0.05), stapled end to end (p ¼ 0.01), single-layered hand-sewn (p < 0.01), and double-layered handsewn anastomoses (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:We created an intestinal anastomosis simulation curriculum for general surgery trainees. The course demonstrated efficacy in improving confidence for perioperative management and procedural confidence for the included anastomotic techniques.