So this is a little embarassing to ask as a third year general surgery resident, but here goes. I have received some flack from more than one attending recently for my knot tying. I have been practicing with free ties and thread at home and there is one technique I have not been able to master that makes my knot tying sloppy.
When using a long free tie in a deep space, I do a one-handed tie toward the ends, with the two ends being similar in length. I then pinch the free end, wrap it around my pinky in order to keep the excess length taught, and bring my index or middle finger down onto the knot. It is this second part I struggle with. I often struggle to take up enough slack to tie it down tight or I look clumsy or even drop the thread when resetting for the next throw.
I have searched extensively for tips on this particular skill, that other surgeons seem to be born with, and I have not come up with anything. I would really appreciate either some advice or maybe a link to a video that describes how to do this. Really anything that makes it look less like I have six thumbs...
Thanks in advance!
When using a long free tie in a deep space, I do a one-handed tie toward the ends, with the two ends being similar in length. I then pinch the free end, wrap it around my pinky in order to keep the excess length taught, and bring my index or middle finger down onto the knot. It is this second part I struggle with. I often struggle to take up enough slack to tie it down tight or I look clumsy or even drop the thread when resetting for the next throw.
I have searched extensively for tips on this particular skill, that other surgeons seem to be born with, and I have not come up with anything. I would really appreciate either some advice or maybe a link to a video that describes how to do this. Really anything that makes it look less like I have six thumbs...
Thanks in advance!