Suture Education with Soft-Embalmed Cadavers: A Cut Above the Rest

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of a surgical skills curriculum was assessed for third-year medical students focused on suturing training on soft embalmed cadavers, which simulate natural tissue more effectively for surgical procedures than traditionally preserved cadavers or surgical practice pads. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared pre- and post-survey results at a premier, accredited, nationally ranked academic medical center. Study participants were third-year medical students completing their required surgical clerkship rotation who participated in suturing sessions on both synthetic suture practice pads and soft-embalmed cadavers prior to beginning their operating room experience. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants were included, with slightly more male participants. The majority of participants (52%) were interested in pursuing a non-surgical career. After participating in Clinical Anatomy Mentorship Program (CAMP), participants felt significantly more confident in their ability to suture in the operating room (median 4 [3–4] vs. 2 [1–3], p < 0.001); in their knowledge of basic suturing supplies and instruments (median 4 [4-4] vs. 3 [2–3], p < 0.001); and in their ability to determine when different suture techniques are appropriate in the operating room (median 3 [3–4] vs. 1 [1–2], p < 0.001). Participants felt more confident in their ability to suture in the operating room after their experience suturing on soft-embalmed cadavers compared to suture practice pads (median 5 [4–5] vs. 4 [4-4], p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Medical students’ confidence in suturing skills and in the knowledge of important characteristics of suturing practice was improved significantly after a suture training session on soft-embalmed cadavers.