Suturing and knot tying in laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic surgery is evolving, and its applications are growing to include most abdominal operations. Tissue approximation by means other than mechanical clips or staples will be increasingly important. Laparoscopic surgeons must learn and apply basic suturing and knot-tying skills in this remote, two-dimensional operating theater. The authors advocate practice of these skills using inanimate and animate training models prior to application in the clinical setting.