Polyurethane Leather as a Suture Training Model.

Abstract

In the suture training of medical students at Mahasarakham Hospital Medical Education Center, pig skin and butyl rubber were used, but both materials presented several problems. Pig skin was difficult to preserve, becoming waxy, easily rotten, and hard in texture while butyl rubber was hard and sticky causing difficulties in suture practice. This study aimed to create a new suture training model to replace the original models. A suture training pad was made by attaching polyurethane leather (PUL) to a sponge pad with fabric glue. Then the pad was attached to a wooden board using double-sided adhesive foam tape, completing the suture training model. The suture training model can be used for various surgical skills training for medical students, including incision, suturing, and knotting. The time taken to make a pad and a model was 7 and 10 minutes, respectively, and the cost of making one suturing model was 13.55 bahts (0.41 USD). The new suture training model of PUL is cost-effective, easy to self-assemble, and eliminates the need for complex production, making it a suitable replacement for the original models.