How to Improve Surgical Dexterity | Guide for Aspiring Surgeons

Surgeons are masters of their craft, using their hands and tools to cure ailments with immediacy. But to be proficient in the operating room, a high degree of dexterity is required. Here's how to get there.
You should care about improving your surgical dexterity not only because it'll make you a better future surgeon, but for several other reasons. You'll impress your seniors, which translates to stronger letters of recommendation, you'll have more fun in the operating room, and you'll be allowed to do more things beyond just retracting, which is the fate of many medical students.
The mindset to surgical proficiency is one focusing on finding joy in the process. If you're able to find the practice of suturing or not tying fun, you'll accelerate your progress rapidly.
In terms of step wise progression, you'll first have to get good at retracting. Then focus on knot tying, learning not just different techniques, but also being able to swap the roles of your dominant and non-dominant hands. And finally, suturing will be the most complex technique you'll be regularly allowed to perform as a medical student.
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TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:14 Why You Should Care About Improving Dexterity
01:39 Mindset to Surgical Proficiency
03:09 Technical Practice for the Operating Room
03:14 Retracting
03:37 Knot Tying
05:58 Suturing
07:15 Squeezing Out Additional Dexterity
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
Knot tying kit: geni.us/MLBT40n
Suturing practice kit: geni.us/jAmEQLY
Needle driver: geni.us/VouOcSZ
How to Palm a Needle Driver: • How to Palm a NEEDLE D...
How to Improve Surgical Dexterity: • Improve Your Surgical ...
#medicalschool #surgery #premed
====================
Disclaimer: Content of this video is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice. The content and associated links provide general information for general educational purposes only. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Kevin Jubbal, M.D. and Med School Insiders LLC will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. May include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you).

Пікірлер: 92

  • @FluoGray
    @FluoGray2 жыл бұрын

    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

    @micahgoldson1253

    2 жыл бұрын

    Me reading this: 😐😮😧☹️😁😁😁😁

  • @youubik

    @youubik

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @okk2101

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @youubik

    @youubik

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @ayeshakhilji2831
    @ayeshakhilji28312 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @ayeshakhilji2831
    @ayeshakhilji28312 жыл бұрын

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

  • @SuuEva
    @SuuEva2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @matthewlee4834
    @matthewlee48342 жыл бұрын

    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 KZread 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

    @arcanam9327

    2 жыл бұрын

    Probably because it violates doctor patient confidentiality

  • @matthewlee4834

    @matthewlee4834

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @Maya-ho7cd

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @matthewlee4834

    @matthewlee4834

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ayeshakhilji2831

    @ayeshakhilji2831

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @nadaelbarbeer453
    @nadaelbarbeer4532 жыл бұрын

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

  • @rebeccac.l.5601
    @rebeccac.l.56012 жыл бұрын

    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

    @emilywest1116

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @jacintosaenz4504
    @jacintosaenz45042 жыл бұрын

    Very informative. Thank you!

  • @s.lhutchinson7667
    @s.lhutchinson76672 жыл бұрын

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

  • @nelln8245
    @nelln82452 жыл бұрын

    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

    @maximumovermuslim6337

    2 жыл бұрын

    Def look up Dr. Espina.

  • @finneyhamster9106

    @finneyhamster9106

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @youubik

    Жыл бұрын

    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

  • @paulineannequilino9284
    @paulineannequilino92842 жыл бұрын

    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 ❤️

  • @orangejuice7574
    @orangejuice75742 жыл бұрын

    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

    @mykenzieharrington9212

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good for you !

  • @shaygill5260

    @shaygill5260

    Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @omgthisimg1488
    @omgthisimg1488 Жыл бұрын

    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. 🔥

  • @DemetriPanici
    @DemetriPanici2 жыл бұрын

    I could only imagine how hard it is right now

  • @iamthereginatetteh2
    @iamthereginatetteh22 жыл бұрын

    Thank you 😊

  • @Mxgxxl
    @Mxgxxl2 жыл бұрын

    More of this 🤩🤩

  • @Storiesboardlife
    @Storiesboardlife2 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @nidhinkuruvilla25
    @nidhinkuruvilla252 жыл бұрын

    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?

  • @maximumovermuslim6337
    @maximumovermuslim63372 жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @elijahmurray6094
    @elijahmurray60942 жыл бұрын

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

  • @victoriang46
    @victoriang462 жыл бұрын

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

  • @yaa87
    @yaa872 жыл бұрын

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

  • @q80salman98
    @q80salman982 жыл бұрын

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

  • @dennisdelgado5626
    @dennisdelgado56262 жыл бұрын

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

  • @itsfj7889
    @itsfj78892 жыл бұрын

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

  • @hadeedyousaf2570

    @hadeedyousaf2570

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @aryans9334

    @aryans9334

    2 жыл бұрын

    Im in high school watching this 😂

  • @farhansadikmunim7311

    @farhansadikmunim7311

    2 жыл бұрын

    Lol yup

  • @SunnySimmer80
    @SunnySimmer802 жыл бұрын

    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

    @shaygill5260

    Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @niftybaker5967
    @niftybaker59672 жыл бұрын

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

  • @andrewg5806
    @andrewg58062 жыл бұрын

    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!!

  • @ShahnawazKhan-re6sj
    @ShahnawazKhan-re6sj2 жыл бұрын

    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!

  • @jehad7usam618
    @jehad7usam6182 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ranjithkumar7782
    @ranjithkumar77822 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @madelynemagdowski5750
    @madelynemagdowski57502 жыл бұрын

    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

    @mykenzieharrington9212

    2 жыл бұрын

    Omg good luck with everything!!!

  • @shaygill5260

    @shaygill5260

    Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @livewithknowledge4570
    @livewithknowledge45702 жыл бұрын

    Please Make a Video on Oncology

  • @zachjones6944
    @zachjones69442 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MedSchoolInsiders

    @MedSchoolInsiders

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes I would say that’s par for the course

  • @hillyio5694

    @hillyio5694

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Silvermouse27
    @Silvermouse272 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @vaffied.kanneh8665
    @vaffied.kanneh86652 жыл бұрын

    Please make video for left handlers

  • @stephenbelascuain3546
    @stephenbelascuain35462 жыл бұрын

    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

    @SunnySimmer80

    2 жыл бұрын

    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

    @stephenbelascuain3546

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @thejavilan7992

    @thejavilan7992

    8 ай бұрын

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

  • @benerentraut631
    @benerentraut6312 жыл бұрын

    Any tips for reducing hand tremor?

  • @minyoongislostsisterandrik2053
    @minyoongislostsisterandrik20532 жыл бұрын

    I will become a neurosurgeon in future

  • @brycehardy8774
    @brycehardy87742 жыл бұрын

    Are there any suturing kits you would recommend for practicing?

  • @SeanWRK

    @SeanWRK

    2 жыл бұрын

    They’re in the description

  • @yashfeenfarooqui1299
    @yashfeenfarooqui12992 жыл бұрын

    applied pressure on the like button with surgical precision

  • @Kvet0707
    @Kvet07072 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @DaddyPau10
    @DaddyPau102 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MedSchoolInsiders

    @MedSchoolInsiders

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ayeshakhilji2831
    @ayeshakhilji28312 жыл бұрын

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

  • @keef920
    @keef9202 жыл бұрын

    Video games really help out with laparoscopic surgery surprisingly

  • @jonathanmitchell5613
    @jonathanmitchell56132 жыл бұрын

    Can anyone find the link for the knot tying board?

  • @MedSchoolInsiders

    @MedSchoolInsiders

    2 жыл бұрын

    Updated the description!

  • @jonathanmitchell5613

    @jonathanmitchell5613

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@MedSchoolInsiders Thanks so much!

  • @RainyWolf7
    @RainyWolf7 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @SpurlinGolf
    @SpurlinGolf2 жыл бұрын

    I am a business major…

  • @louisaidahoze8608
    @louisaidahoze86082 жыл бұрын

    Is knitting 🧶 a way to improve dexterity? 🤔

  • @skuterkid...

    @skuterkid...

    2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @geraldinebastidas5107

    @geraldinebastidas5107

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@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

  • @M.sami12
    @M.sami122 жыл бұрын

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

  • @rangershake5652
    @rangershake5652 Жыл бұрын

    Me doing this for watchmaking school😅

  • @mrtreeleaf
    @mrtreeleaf2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @aha-death2282
    @aha-death22822 жыл бұрын

    So u want to be dentist!!!!

  • @rajarun5956
    @rajarun59562 жыл бұрын

    Any 2nd year student?

  • @youubik
    @youubik Жыл бұрын

    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

  • @kinnerachippada
    @kinnerachippada2 жыл бұрын

    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 😡

  • @user-gp1zv5pn2o
    @user-gp1zv5pn2o27 күн бұрын

    🙏✝️🤴👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

  • @thatJackBidenTalksAbout
    @thatJackBidenTalksAbout5 ай бұрын

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

  • @MedSchoolInsiders

    @MedSchoolInsiders

    5 ай бұрын

    Same team!

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