Rather than make my own video, I thought I’d save time and see if someone else had done the work for me.
Luckily, they did! Here’s the first in a series. This doctor explains things quite well.
Buy yourself a pig’s foot and get started. (A real person would prefer a little numbing first.)
A few of my own comments:
1. He recommends palming the needle-holder, which I agree allows a quick release. For myself, though, I prefer using the thumb and ring finger, with the ring finger only inserted to the first knuckle. Inserting the finger further, like you might do with scissors, definitely slows the process down.
2. The pig isn’t bleeding. This makes it all a lot easier.
3. Beginner’s needn’t worry about “backwards” suturing, which is primarily used only in awkward positions or in reverse directions when the operator cannot reposition himself easily.
4. The surgeon demonstrates the proper way to set square knots. Practice his technique to quickly tie off a suture.