TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Minimally Invasive Suturing and Knot Tying A1 - Hunter, John G. A1 - Spight, Donn H. A1 - Sandone, Corinne A1 - Fairman, Jennifer E. PY - 2018 T2 - Atlas of Minimally Invasive Surgical Operations AB - In laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery, suturing and knot tying are considered difficult skills, leading to billions of dollars of technology development to make suturing easier for the surgeon. The primary problem begging solution is the loss of the wrist in laparoscopic instruments. The only technology to have adequately solved this engineering problem is the surgical robot, but this multimillion-dollar solution is unnecessary for the bulk of suturing tasks encountered in minimally invasive surgery. Simple suturing and knot tying without robots, articulated needle holders, or “instant” knots can be learned in a simulator with the investment of a few hours. Mastery of these techniques may take more time, so practice in a simulator or box trainer is advised. It is preferable to ascend the suturing and knotting learning curve in a simulator, rather than wasting valuable time in the operating room. No professional athlete, pilot, or concert musician learns their skill without hours of practice “off stage.” As surgeons, our obligation to our patient requires similar practice outside of the operating room. By convention, descriptions in this section are written for the right-hand-dominant surgeon. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1162529531 ER -