A Simple Extra-Corporeal Knot tying technique in Minimal Access Surgery

We describe a technique which is very conventional and uses a PTFE pledget to lower the knot. Also in this technique there is no contact between the suture and the instrument at any point therefore fraying and tearing of sutures is not an issue. The technique is simple, inexpensive and has an extremely short learning curve.One of the major challenges in minimally access surgery is extra-corporeal knot tying. A wide variety of techniques have been described and a number of instruments have been devised for tying and pushing the knots down. However, there is no universal acceptance of any particular technique.We describe an extra-corporeal knot tying technique which does not require any special instruments, has an extremely short learning curve, does not cause fraying of sutures and owing to its simplicity has the potential for universal acceptance.
Source: The Annals of Thoracic Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Source Type: research