SUTT

Suturing and knot tying Training and Testing method

SUTT is a practical test consisting of a series of exercises on stitching and knotting to assess, independent of the medical skills, the required quality levels of suturing skills. It measures the ability of fine and complex motor skills by performing correct stitches and intra-corporeal knots.

It uses the SUTT model consisting of a SUTT Foam Base and SUTT Pad, which is placed in a pelvic trainer.

SUTT is one for the three exercises as used in the practical skill assessment of the GESEA Programme. The LASTT Training Package is available from ID Trust Medical.

SUTT Training Package

The aim of SUTT1 is to measure the ability of fine and complex psychomotor skills by performing stitches using correct needle handling and intra-corporeal knot tying.

Procedure:

  • Perform 4 single stitches using your dominant hand and 1  stitch with an intra-corporeal knot
  • Pass the suture by entering and exiting precisely within the black dots
  • Leave enough thread in the pad for evaluation
  • Cut off using laparoscopic scissors

Stitching Greek Suture

Loading the needle with both hands starting to pass the needle through the red dot – running the suture until the last black dot. Alternating stitching hand after each 2 dots. Passing the tissue with a precise entry and exit in the centre of the dots. Manipulation of the thread, avoiding to tear the tissue.

Stitching and knot tying with right hand

Precise positioning of stitch on the predefined entry (red dot) and exit point (black dot). 1 Intra-corporeal knot with double flat knot, 1st locking sequence and 2nd locking sequence. The exercise is being timed till the participant releases the thread at both ends at the end of the knotting movements.

Stitching and knot tying with left hand

Precise positioning of stitch on the predefined entry (red dot) and exit point (black dot). 1 Intra-corporeal knot with double flat knot, 1st locking sequence and 2nd locking sequence. The exercise is being timed till the participant releases the thread at both ends at the end of the knotting movements.

Stitching, tissue approximation and knot tying with dominant hand

Precise positioning of stitch on the predefined entry and exit point with dominant hand. Correct approximation of tissue by performing an intra-corporeal double flat knot with 2 locking sequences. The exercise is being timed till the participant releases the thread at both ends at the end of the knotting movements.