Surgery Question

[ericdamiansean]

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Hey guys, just have a question, what are the basic knots and sutures which I need to know, just enough to get me by surgery? And enough for me to function in an extremely busy South African ER with lots of trauma?

Thanks!

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
You should be able to tie a secure two-handed knot and surgeons knot. You should also be able to instrument tie.

For closures: know how to close with simple interrupted sutures, vertical mattress and a subcuticular closure. The rest is just not that important.

Grab a copy of the Ethicon wound closure manual (can view this on-line)and you will know when to use what suture material under which conditions. Mostly know when to use absorbable versus non-absorbable suture material.

njbmd 🙂

 

[Espion]

Out of curiousity I googled "Ethicon knots" and what do you know...the first link that pops up is a PDF about knot tying.

I'm not sure if you can link to a PDF file, but here's the link to the google search:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ethicon+knots

Just click on the first link in the search, and there you go. Be nice to the scrub techs and they'll let you take home the extra suture to practice.

 

[JudoKing01]

Yeah but they don't tell you that you have to do two of the first throw and then do the second throw, THEN you can alternate, otherwise you won't get it as tight as you want it.

 

[Ramoray]

do you have to know how to tie these knots before you start the roation

 

[njbmd]

do you have to know how to tie these knots before you start the roation

Hi there,
You don't have to know how to tie any of the knots before you start your clerkship. You will have a class on knot tying and suturing. The Ethicon site is a good place to start. You can also get one of the residents or an upperclassman to help you with practice. Do not stress over this, knot tying is practice until it comes naturally.

What you need before your surgery clerkship: comfortable shoes for standing and walking. Maxwell's Guide. A pocket book like Surgical Recall and your reading text like Lawrence.

What you don't need: A surgical text like Greenfields or Sabistons unless you are sure that you are going into surgery.

Watch and learn procedures like inserting a central line, chest tube insertion. Watch how the surgeons and residents handle tissue and handle the instruments. Learn how to close skin and offer to do this.

Learn how to do a good surgical presentation. Again, watch the interns and learn from them. Other than the above basics, you are going to be taught what you need to know. Read as you go and keep something in your pocket to read between cases. Ask questions before you act and learn how to drive camera on laparoscopic cases (invaluable skill). Don't do anything that you are not familiar with. Don't take anything to heart that is said in the OR. Have a very thick skin because OR staff love to bother medical students. (their stupidity not yours).

Enjoy!
njbmd 🙂

 

[doc05]

Yeah but they don't tell you that you have to do two of the first throw and then do the second throw, THEN you can alternate, otherwise you won't get it as tight as you want it.

it really depends what you're tying. sometimes this is not necessary.

 

[cjmahoso]

In dire need of handy ophthalmology notes

 

[imtiaz]

if you call ethicon they will send you a free knot tying board and manual (the same thing thats in the PDF file) with rope. i dont have the number on me though. its toll-free.