Suture Skills Workshop Description:

Sutures are often talked about but rarely seen, due to the level of skill required. This workshop will give you a basic knowledge of technique so that you can practice and refine your suture skills. Like anything, it takes many hours of practice to get it right!

In order to suture safely, the proper medical aseptic technique must be observed. It is the first portion of the class and the foundation for suture skills and other forms of medical play. Anatomy of the skin is important to understand so that you can visualize it while performing sutures, so we will expand upon our knowledge of the layers of the skin. We will also learn about the different types of sutures, what we might use them for, sizing, suture needles and tools. Proper tool handling will be taught, so that everyone may get comfortable with handling the instruments needed.

Each participant will have the chance to practice their suture skills on substitute skin or chicken/pigskin, depending on availability. Specific skills taught will be the instrument tie, the simple interrupted suture, the simple running suture and the simple locking suture. These four skills will give participants the basis they need to be able to develop their suturing skills.

Participants should be aware that suturing requires a great deal of practice to create a neat, clean looking end product. Suture skills require the use of tools in ways that we aren’t used to so there is a bit of a learning curve. 

Suture Skills Workshop Length:

The Suture Skills Workshop is 3 hours in length. This includes demonstration time as well as some practice time.

This class cannot be shortened as the subject matter involved takes time to learn and demonstrate.

This class can be taught as a stand-alone or as part of the Medical Play Intensive Workshop

Suture Skills may not be available in all areas, due to legal restrictions. If you are unsure about the legal restrictions in your area, please ask.

Suture Skills Workshop Details:

This class is best suited to groups of 10 – 20 people.

The Suture Skills Workshop involves demonstrations on animal skin and/or substitute skin. If students do not want to suture on animal skin, please inform the instructor ahead of time so that synthetic substitute skin will be available for them.

The Suture Skills Workshop is presented in gender-neutral terms, in recognition that not all people conform to a gender binary. This class is a safe space for LGBTQA people, attendees are expected to respect that.

The Suture Sills Workshop has an optional PowerPoint presentation, to help visual learners. A screen and projector are required for this option.