Z Williams1, S Williams1, H A Easley1, H M Seita1, W W Hope2. 1. Department of Surgery, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 2131 South 17th Street, PO box 9025, Wilmington, NC, 28401, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, 2131 South 17th Street, PO box 9025, Wilmington, NC, 28401, USA. william.hope@nhrmc.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate abdominal wall closure knowledge base and technical skills in surgical and OB/GYN residents. METHODS: Residents consented to participate in a skills laboratory and quiz. The skills portion involved closure of a 10-cm incision on a simulated abdominal wall. Participants were timed, filmed, and graded using a standardized grading system. RESULTS: Thirty surgical and OB/GYN residents participated. All residents reported closing the abdominal wall continuously, 97% preferred slowly absorbing sutures (28/29), 97% preferred taking 1-cm bites (29/30), and 93% spaced bites 1 cm apart (27/29). However, 77% (10/13) of surgery residents identified 4:1 as the ideal suture to wound length ratio; 47% (7/15) of OB/GYN residents believed it to be 2:1, and another 40% (6/15) indicated 3:1 (p < 0.0001). In the simulation, OB/GYN residents used significantly fewer stitches (p = 0.0028), significantly more distance between bites (p < 0.0001), and significantly larger bite size (p < 0.0001) than surgery residents. When graded, there was no significant difference between programs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some knowledge regarding the principles of abdominal wall closure among surgical and OB/GYN residents, more instruction is needed. We identified some differences in knowledge base and techniques for abdominal wall closure among general surgery and OB/GYN residents, which are likely due to differences in educational curriculums.
PURPOSE: To evaluate abdominal wall closure knowledge base and technical skills in surgical and OB/GYN residents. METHODS: Residents consented to participate in a skills laboratory and quiz. The skills portion involved closure of a 10-cm incision on a simulated abdominal wall. Participants were timed, filmed, and graded using a standardized grading system. RESULTS: Thirty surgical and OB/GYN residents participated. All residents reported closing the abdominal wall continuously, 97% preferred slowly absorbing sutures (28/29), 97% preferred taking 1-cm bites (29/30), and 93% spaced bites 1 cm apart (27/29). However, 77% (10/13) of surgery residents identified 4:1 as the ideal suture to wound length ratio; 47% (7/15) of OB/GYN residents believed it to be 2:1, and another 40% (6/15) indicated 3:1 (p < 0.0001). In the simulation, OB/GYN residents used significantly fewer stitches (p = 0.0028), significantly more distance between bites (p < 0.0001), and significantly larger bite size (p < 0.0001) than surgery residents. When graded, there was no significant difference between programs. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some knowledge regarding the principles of abdominal wall closure among surgical and OB/GYN residents, more instruction is needed. We identified some differences in knowledge base and techniques for abdominal wall closure among general surgery and OB/GYN residents, which are likely due to differences in educational curriculums.
Authors: Eva B Deerenberg; Joris J Harlaar; Ewout W Steyerberg; Harold E Lont; Helena C van Doorn; Joos Heisterkamp; Bas Pl Wijnhoven; Willem R Schouten; Huib A Cense; Hein Bac Stockmann; Frits J Berends; F Paul Hlj Dijkhuizen; Roy S Dwarkasing; An P Jairam; Gabrielle H van Ramshorst; Gert-Jan Kleinrensink; Johannes Jeekel; Johan F Lange Journal: Lancet Date: 2015-07-15 Impact factor: 79.321