How to Improve Surgical Dexterity | Guide for Aspiring Surgeons

[@FluoGray]

I remember rotating in the ER and the attending asking me to stitch up a patient with 5 separate superficial wounds. I wasn't too sure about it, but I gave it my best and the attending went out after my first stitch because "they had nothing to complain" about my technique. I was so proud lmao.

[@micahgoldson1253]

Me reading this: 😐😮😧☹️😁😁😁😁

[@youubik]

If you want to be a surgeon you need three characteristics 1. You love money 2. You hate dealing with people 3. You refuse to take responsibility

[@okk2101]

@@youubik so you say that surgeons not taking responsibility?

[@youubik]

@@okk2101 When did you ever hear of a surgeon being struck off or prosecuted

[@ayeshakhilji2831]

Being a 4th yr med student, i scrubbed in for the first time in eye OT last month and sutured a bullet hole. And im still over the moon. 😭😭💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 cannotttt wait to scrub in again

[@rebeccac.l.5601]

Playing piano and/or woodwind instruments can also give some great dexterity and strength in both hands. I'm not a surgeon but the dexterity I gained through musical instruments has helped me in other procedures and tasks.

[@emilywest1116]

I’ve always wondered about that. I bet that having a background in needle and yarn arts (embroidery, knitting, crocheting) doesn’t hurt either. While suturing definitely is not the same as embroidery, it’s good practice to practice that fine motor dexterity.

[@ayeshakhilji2831]

I haven’t decided on the speciality yet but I’ve always wanted to work with my hands. And this video was super helpful!

[@matthewlee4834]

Would you ever consider making videos where you kind of just read through and explain random clinical case studies? Basically you would just run through your step-by-step logic that eventually leads to the diagnosis. This would be a great way for some students to practice clinical thinking skills in their free time. I've tried looking for KZbin videos where doctors just explain random clinical cases and map out their medical decision making but I haven't been able to find many unfortunately.

[@arcanam9327]

Probably because it violates doctor patient confidentiality

[@matthewlee4834]

@@arcanam9327 they don't have to be real patient cases that use personal information. The clinical cases could be 100% made-up. Besides, there's hundreds of practice clinical cases online that MedSchoolInsiders would be able to use anyways. The only issue for students like me is that it's difficult for us to access most of these online resources due to financial reasons

[@Maya-ho7cd]

The Clinical Problem Solvers podcast is exactly this and has some amazing cases that are thought through really well

[@matthewlee4834]

@@Maya-ho7cd thank you SO MUCH for the recommendation, I'll check them out

[@ayeshakhilji2831]

That’s a great idea! Would help so much with exam presentation as well 😍

[@s.lhutchinson7667]

My seamstress self gets so excited learning about suturing! The human body seem likes such an exciting thing to learn how to stitch.

[@nadaelbarbeer453]

Can you please do more videos about how to improve and prepare yourself to be surgeon ? Excellent video👏👏👏

[@orangejuice7574]

Even though I’m just a premed, I try to maximise the use of my non dominant hand like brushing my teeth with it and practising writing with it as well on a regular basis. I feel this should increase one’s dexterity of the non dominant hand gradually.

[@mykenzieharrington9212]

Good for you !

[@shaygill5260]

you’re better off focusing on getting into an M.D. school in the United States or country of residence before you even think about suture pads… you must prove your mind even in M1/M2 years before you even encounter a setting where such skills would remotely useful. Time is limited, study for your MCAT, volunteer, etc. Don’t get lost in the fantasy of being a doctor or surgeon when you’re not even a medical student. Humble yourself. Just my advice.

[@SuuEva]

This is something I really wanted .. ♥️ thankyou for your constant relevant content ♥️

[@nelln8245]

You guys really do an awesome job. I would love to see you guys talk about the implications of age in Med School. Like whether or not it is ever too late to go to med school ( late 30s and 40s for example) and which specialities would suit better someone who is older.

[@maximumovermuslim6337]

Def look up Dr. Espina.

[@finneyhamster9106]

@@maximumovermuslim6337 yes, what this person said. I couldn’t remember the name, so I was gonna say go check out Dr. Mikes channel and find his video with Dr.Espina where they talk about this exact topic

[@youubik]

Age is not a problem. You need three characteristics 1. You love money 2. You hate dealing with people 3. You refuse to take responsibility

[@DemetriPanici]

I could only imagine how hard it is right now

[@elijahmurray6094]

Thank goodness I'm ambidextrous. Yaaaaaayyyyyyy 😍 future neurosurgeon or anesthesiologist here yaaaaaayyyyyyy

[@omgthisimg1488]

On the last day of my Surgery postings of my internship, I was allowed to do a Hernioplasty all by myself with my professor assisting me. 🔥

[@jacintosaenz4504]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@Silvermouse27]

Learning to palm a needle holder isn’t necessarily about speed, it’s more about increasing the range of movement of the instrument which makes your movements more efficient. Also, students obsess about learning this skill but it’s not at all a crucial skill. I’m a plastic surgeon and I can count on one hand how many of my fellow plastic surgeons palm their instruments

[@Rainbowofthefallen]

Just commenting for the algorithm 💛

[@zachjones6944]

Granted this was at a Military Hospital; but I was able irrigate and suture in neurosurgery in spine surgeries as a MD3.

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Yes I would say that’s par for the course

[@hillyio5694]

@@MedSchoolInsiders hi doctor I need some advise can you pls reply me back?

[@madelynemagdowski5750]

I’m a premed neuroscience just like you were Dr! I practice my sutures to relax tbh. I find surgery to be an art so it’s fun to me when I’m learning yet it’s a peaceful task, AND they are pretty cool looking when you finish. I enjoy it a lot. And definitely keeps that excitement for the future when Ochem is on my last nerve!

[@mykenzieharrington9212]

Omg good luck with everything!!!

[@shaygill5260]

you’re better off focusing on getting into an M.D. school in the United States or country of residence before you even think about suture pads… you must prove your mind even in M1/M2 years before you even encounter a setting where such skills would remotely useful. Time is limited, study for your MCAT, volunteer, etc. Don’t get lost in the fantasy of being a doctor or surgeon when you’re not even a medical student. Humble yourself. Just my advice.

[@dennisdelgado5626]

The key to learning anything for that matter is repeating it over and over again. Ie. Hands on its common sense

[@paulineannequilino9284]

Can you make a video for Nutritionists and Dieticians? I shifted to a premed course (Nutrition). This course somehow is underrated and under appreciated. Thank you ❤️

[@iamthereginatetteh2]

Thank you 😊

[@Storiesboardlife]

I am telling you this if I was not in the Army learning how to suture. I would of not been ahead of where I am at. I recommend starting early

[@q80salman98]

I cant find the link to the knot tying kits in the description

[@itsfj7889]

Me who hasn't even passed middle school watches all his videos as it's so cool Anybody else..?

[@hadeedyousaf2570]

Yess, I’m in year 9 (Grade 8 for America)

[@aryans9334]

Im in high school watching this 😂

[@farhansadikmunim7311]

Lol yup

[@niftybaker5967]

I can't find the link for the knot kit. Does anyone know where it is?

[@maximumovermuslim6337]

Dr. Jubbal, what is your recommendation for good quality suture needles and threads? I'm currently following your advice while I am in the urgent care for my 3rd year clerkship and am about to run out. I have noticed significant differences in the quality of my practice set's materials vs real threads and needles, and would like to work with material that more closely resembles the real stuff. Thanks as always for your advice! My supervising resident gave me permission to suture up any patient that comes into the UC thanks to my practice as you advised!

[@Mxgxxl]

More of this 🤩🤩

[@victoriang46]

I'd love the links to the equipment he recommends but I cant find them :(

[@jonathanmitchell5613]

Can anyone find the link for the knot tying board?

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Updated the description!

[@jonathanmitchell5613]

@@MedSchoolInsiders Thanks so much!

[@brycehardy8774]

Are there any suturing kits you would recommend for practicing?

[@SeanWRK]

They’re in the description

[@vaffied.kanneh8665]

Please make video for left handlers

[@yaa87]

Where are the links for your recommended suture and knots kits? I don't see them in the description

[@stephenbelascuain3546]

Thank you so much! Any advice for people like me with shaky hands or tremors? I always feel surgery might not be for me because i can't keep my hands steady when it needs to be precise 😔

[@SunnySimmer80]

I’m not sure if this will help, but maybe before attempting, take a deep breath out then try. I have pretty still hands but this focuses me and it might help. I hope you find some useful advice!

[@stephenbelascuain3546]

@@SunnySimmer80 Thanks! As a 2nd year medical student. I wish you well on your Premed 😊

[@thejavilan7992]

any updates on this? i've been struggling with this as well.

[@nidhinkuruvilla25]

It’s mentioned that it’s a useful skill to learn knot tying with both hands, but what about suturing? Any advice for a leftie?

[@andrewg5806]

Can you do a video on “so you want to become a pharmacist “ would really appreciate it ! I feel pharmacy is such an overlooked powerhouse in the medical field and definitely needs more light shed on it!!

[@DaddyPau10]

Did you say you'd leave a link to your favorite suturing kits and whatnot? Am I Just not seeing it?

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Apologies - missed it. Updated the description Knot tying kit: geni.us/MLBT40n Suturing practice kit: geni.us/jAmEQLY Needle driver: geni.us/VouOcSZ

[@livewithknowledge4570]

Please Make a Video on Oncology

[@jehad7usam618]

We want a "so you want to be a general surgeon" episode plzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@benerentraut631]

Any tips for reducing hand tremor?

[@ayeshakhilji2831]

Quick question: how to stop your hands from trembling if you’re new? 😭😭😭 Sometimes my hands shake even if I’m not nervous 😭

[@ranjithkumar7782]

Im a 3rd year medical student and I would like to know like what global recognized book i can follow to practice my suturing techniques on the kit

[@louisaidahoze8608]

Is knitting 🧶 a way to improve dexterity? 🤔

[@skuterkid...]

Yes, and so does playing Xbox and Operation (the board game)

[@geraldinebastidas5107]

@@skuterkid... I don't know if you're joking or not about the xbox thing but I might follow that up for research purposes... xD

[@Robin_8Bit]

Is their left handed tools at hand at the surgical room? *non surgeon here

[@SunnySimmer80]

Oh please do more videos like this for things that will help those who want to be surgeons. I’m hoping to get a suture pad and sutures for Christmas or my birthday. I’m starting as a premed this spring but I want to get very efficient at doing knots because I want to be a surgeon.

[@shaygill5260]

you’re better off focusing on getting into an M.D. school in the United States or country of residence before you even think about suture pads… you must prove your mind even in M1/M2 years before you even encounter a setting where such skills would remotely useful. Time is limited, study for your MCAT, volunteer, etc. Don’t get lost in the fantasy of being a doctor or surgeon when you’re not even a medical student. Humble yourself. Just my advice.

[@minyoongislostsisterandrik2053]

I will become a neurosurgeon in future

[@ShahnawazKhan-re6sj]

Hey! I hope you're doing well. I'm looking to study BDS (Bachelor's in Dental Science), but I'd like to become a medical scientist in the future. I wanted to know if that's possible, if anyone could offer some advice I'd really appreciate it!

[@yashfeenfarooqui1299]

applied pressure on the like button with surgical precision

[@Kvet0707]

Hi. Vet school student. Will there ever be a Vet School Insider? So many of your videos relate to the real struggles of vet school as well! Thank you for your help with getting me through vet med even though your intention is for human medicine.

[@keef920]

Video games really help out with laparoscopic surgery surprisingly

[@youubik]

If you want to be a surgeon you need three characteristics 1. You love money 2. You hate dealing with people 3. You refuse to take responsibility

[@M.sami12]

Imagine making surgery for every patient you see. This is dentistry.

[@SpurlinGolf]

I am a business major…

[@mrtreeleaf]

Nah bro dentists got this dexterity but on hard mode. They have to work in the back of a dark mouth while the patient is still awake and moving while fighting tongue and lips in a wet environment. Don’t forget you have to do all this while your view is using a 1cm in diameter mirror so you need to train your brain to do all your movements while working in reverse.

[@rutuparnaswain7523]

Phew I am gonna start from 16 😅😅😅😅

[@aha-death2282]

So u want to be dentist!!!!

[@Tony-m3p1v]

🙏✝️🤴👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@rangershake5652]

Me doing this for watchmaking school😅

[@kinnerachippada]

Well pulling teeth is not so easy if u use wrong technique then land up in using micromotor whin again need good surgical skills, after all its a job of oral and maxillofacial "surgeon"! So better don't underestimate 😡

[@rajarun5956]

Any 2nd year student?

[@Jack-TheGhostOfBidensPast]

This seems to be plagiarized from Kevin Jubbal, M.D.

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

Same team!