Medical students can hone their skills not just in college or operating rooms but also at home.
At home, there are several ways to practice surgery. Here are 5 of them.
With a Suture Kit
A suture kit can work wonders in improving hand positioning, forceps finger placement and action, among others. It’s reusable, and a good one has everything you need to close nearly all types of wounds.
A kit will usually contain a silicone pad, scissors, holders and thread. They’re a great and consistent medium for when you need to practice surgery at home. Afterwards, you can remove the stitches and go at it again.
Watch Instructional Videos
The internet has a wealth of educational and medical resources you can access at the comfort of your own home.
If you need a platform where you can start, try YouTube. The best ones are short, on point and impart knowledge on techniques you can use to perform surgery better.
You can also brush up on your surgery instruments and when they’re needed. From time to time you can also watch common suturing techniques so you retain the essential information in your head.
With a Pig’s Feet
Pigs feet are relatively easy to acquire. They can be bought at supermarket counters and butcher shops.
The good thing about pig’s feet is that they’re closer to the real thing. However, they may not be the best choice in price (fruit is cheaper). When practicing on them you can watch a few online videos first, then try it while keeping the techniques in mind.
With a Banana
A banana may be a tasty fruit but it also has an ideal texture for practice surgery.
Its skin is tougher but it’s still pliable. You can practice using a thread and needle and work on instrument use, wrist rotation and hand placement.
A banana is a good alternative to a silicon pad, but a suture kit is still the way to go because of its reusability and longevity.
With an Orange
It’s the same way as a banana. Complement your practice by watching a few videos on how it’s done, then work to have the wound stitched up.
It’s a good time to try wound repair and keep in mind surgical tips along the way, such as knot tying and others. Oranges are pretty easy to spot and you can eat the fruit afterwards as a reward for a job well done.
Practice, Practice Practice
Practice is the straightest path to improving your skills in the surgery department. Whether at home, school or the hospital you should never stop learning and trying out for cleaner knots and threading.
Also, make the most of the internet by constantly reading up on surgery tips and tutorial videos. There are free courses and content you’ll find very useful, especially if you’re just starting out.
Practicing surgery shouldn’t be complicated, and it can be done at home regardless of education stage. You'll have all you need with a suture kit and a medium you can work on.
