The application of an intraoral banana peel suturing model in surgical training of dental students

ObjectivesThis study investigated the application of an intraoral banana peel suturing model in helping students to acquire intraoral surgical techniques. MethodsThis is a self-control study conducted from January 2021 to March 2021. An intraoral banana peel suturing model was implemented to provide oral suture experience for undergraduates majoring in stomatology. The sutures students placed in the model were photographed and evaluated blindly by a professional team using an established scoring system. Training scores were recorded before (training 1) and after 2 months of training (training 2). Linear regression was used to examine factors related to the scores. Suturing training was conducted in the School and Hospital of Stomatology at Peking University. A total of eighty-two students in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology were in their fourth pre-clinical year and followed a workshop on surgical sutures according to the curriculum. All students who should take this course were included, and the response rate was 100%. ResultsThe mean training 2 score (23.04 & PLUSMN; 3.83) was higher than the mean training 1 score (13.94 & PLUSMN; 3.15). The training 1 score was not significantly correlated with any of the students' general characteristics. The training 2 score was correlated with the training 1 score and the cumulative duration of practice outside of class. ConclusionThe intraoral banana peel suturing model can be used for suture training, and dental students' suture ability was improved after using the banana peel for suture practice.