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ASE ATLAS Database

ASE ATLAS Database

Advanced Training in Laparoscopic Suturing

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Task 6

Task 6 – RUNNING SUTURE
Summary: This task requires closure of a defect using continuous suturing and two intracorporeal knots.  
Equipment: 2 needle drivers or 1 needle drive and 1 maryland, 1 pair of laparoscopic scissors and one 25 cm 2-0 Silk suture on an SH needle. Continuous suture pad with five pairs of black dots.
Rules: Use a right-handed forehand suturing technique. First throw must be a surgeon’s knot, followed by two square knots. Continue with 4 running tissue bites. End with a surgeon’s knot to the loop, followed by two square knots. You will then cut both ends of your suture.  You must take full thickness bites of tissue. 
Timing: The timing will start when any instrument is seen on the monitor and will stop when the suture is cut after closing the defect.
Cutoff time: Maximum time for task completion is 15 minutes (cutoff = 900sec). If the task is not completed within the allotted time, you will be asked to stop.
Errors:
          Accuracy = Distance in (mm) suture is outside of the target black dots
          Tissue Gap = Distance in (mm) between model edges between the target black dots
          Air Knot = any space is visible between the first knot and the model, or between subsequent
               knots, 10 points, each occurrence
          Square Knot = correct loop formation and alternating the tails 1800 during each throw, 15  
               points, each occurrence      
          Breakage = 20 points if ligature is broken during any portion of exercise, each occurrence
          Not a full thickness bite – 10 points, each occurrence      
          Bunny ear (tail caught in knot) – 10 points, any occurrence (all or nothing)
          Holding the needle while tying knots – 10pts, any occurrence (all or nothing)
          Tail length <5mm or > 20mm – 1pt, each individual tail      
Scoring Formula: Score = 900 – time – 10 (sum of errors).
Proficiency Score: To be determined
Expert Score: To be determined
Proficiency Training Protocol: Achieve proficiency score on 2 consecutive repetitions (max 80 repetitions)
Proficiency Testing (Pre- and Post-test): 1 repetition

Tips and Tricks

Full task completion

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Association for Surgical Education
11300 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: 310-215-1226
Email: [email protected]

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