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Suture Scissors: Friend or Foe?
Ogonna (O.G.) Iwuora
When I was 4 or 5 years old, a pair of scissors was a very fascinating tool. Why? The answer is simple. It was metal, shiny and could cut. By the time I was 10, I was a master of this tool, thanks to my foray into the world of arts and crafts. Yes, a pair of scissors was my friend.
Fast-forward to today. As a third-year medical student nearing the end of my surgery rotation, I have discovered that one textbook I failed to buy is “The Art of Cutting with Scissors for Dummies.” Surgery days can be long and tiring, but I have found that I can deal with that. Surprisingly, my most frustrating, tear-inspiring days are those that are peppered with shouts of:
“Tilt the scissors 45 degrees!”
“No, don’t tilt the scissors!”
“Use the tip of the scissors to cut!”
“The tip of that scissors isn’t sharp, open it wider!”
“Use your left hand to steady the scissors!”
“No, use your index finger to steady the scissors!”
“Push on the scissors with your thumb, don’t pull!”
“Slide the scissors down to the knot and cut!”
“Nooo! You are going to cut that knot!”
“Cut low!”
“Cut high!”
“Put your thumb IN the rim of one handle and the ring finger in the other handle when cutting!”
“Put your thumb ON the rim of one handle and the ring finger in the other handle when cutting!”
Who knew suture cutting could be so complex? Sometimes I feel like making some sort of disclaimer at the beginning of a case. Something along the lines of, “My name is Ogonna Iwuora, the third-year medical student on the service this month. I just want you to know that there is a high chance that you will not approve of the way I cut approximately one out of every three sutures, for which I apologize in advance. I have been taught to cut and definitely believe in the principle of sliding down the suture till you find the knot; alas my hands seem to lack the intrinsic finesse needed to complete this task consistently and jerky motions are often what show through…”
Either way, these days when I am scrubbed into a case and the scissors are handed to me, beads of sweat pop up and I am filled with a sense of impending doom. Yes, a pair of scissors is now my foe. |