The heaney transfixion stitch: a cognitive task-analysis based educational video

Abstract

To teach the critical actions used to perform a Heaney transfixion pedicle ligation (“Heaney stitch”). Mapping the decisions made by experts while performing surgical skills can reveal cognitive mental representations utilized to achieve mastery performance. Cognitive task analysis (CTA) is a method used to deconstruct tasks to identify critical knowledge, action steps, and decision points that may be unintentionally automated by experts. CTA increases the accuracy and completeness of surgeons’ instructions on how to complete tasks and has been utilized for making educational interventions in general surgery, plastic surgery, and orthopedics. Three experts and three novices were interviewed on how to perform a Heaney stitch. Eighteen common critical action points were identified and used to generate an educational video. Using the Fundamentals of Vaginal Surgery (FVS) task trainer, this CTA-based educational video will instruct learners on proper needle loading; suture management; needle placement; how to optimize visualization; and efficiency of motion. This is the first of a planned series of educational videos for the Fundamentals of Vaginal Surgery (FVS) Simulation System.