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It’s Life, by Maggie

blogging my journey from premed to md & all the little life things in between

Suture Practice Kits for Medical School Students: What You Need to Know

· In: Life in Medical School

I still remember the excitement of my first skills night session in medical school. Getting to try out a suture practice kit was like stepping into the shoes of a real surgeon (minus the pressure of a live patient, of course). That night was such a great introduction to the basics of suturing, and honestly, it was so much fun that I didn’t even notice how much I was learning. 

Suturing is one of those must-have skills for any future doctor. It’s also one of the top anxiety-filled tasks to perform on a patient, especially if you’ve never attempted it before! So, it’s no surprise that a recent study found that students who get plenty of early, hands-on practice with suturing before their clerkships feel more confident and, as a result, go on to welcome more opportunities to suture actual patients during their clinical rotations. 

Fortunately, practicing and developing your suturing skills has never been easier, thanks to affordable and high-quality practice kits. In this post, I’ll break down what you’ll find in a typical suture practice kit, why they’re worth investing in, and how to make the most of yours.

This post is all about suture practice kit.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.

Everything You Need To Know About Suture Practice Kit

suture practice kit

What is a Suture Practice Kit?

Suture practice kits help medical students master suturing techniques, whether at a skills night or at home before clerkship, to practice for surgery rotations. These kits are made with high-quality silicone pads that feel surprisingly close to real human skin’s texture and elasticity. 

The pads often come pre-cut with various wound shapes that mimic what you may encounter with a live patient. This variety gives you the chance to practice different suturing techniques, from simple interrupted stitches to more advanced patterns.

The kits also come with all the tools you need, including forceps, needle drivers, and scalpels. The tools and supplies included will allow you to practice techniques properly so you can build the confidence to handle real patients when the time comes. 

How Can a Suture Practice Kit Help Prepare Medical Students?

Suturing requires safely closing wounds to prevent infection and support the healing process. But let’s be real. It’s not ideal to practice your first attempts at this skill on real patients. Besides the patient most likely not being thrilled by your lack of experience, no one wants that kind of pressure! 

A suture practice kit offers a realistic, low-stress alternative that allows medical students to build their confidence and competence before stepping into a clinical setting. Here’s exactly how a suture practice kit can help you gain confidence and improve your skills:

Practice in a No-Pressure Environment

A suture kit gives you the freedom to practice without the anxiety of performing on a live patient. It’s an ethical, no-stress way to refine your skills early in your program so you’re not scrambling to learn during your clinical rotations. This no-pressure practice helps you grow into a more confident and skilled practitioner.

Maggie's Suture Skills Night - 1st Year

Durable and Reusable

High-quality kits are designed to last, meaning you can use them again and again to perfect your technique. This reusability makes them a worthwhile investment for both students and medical programs.

Learn at Your Own Pace

Everyone learns differently, and a suture kit lets you practice at your own speed. Whether you need extra time to master the basics or want to push yourself to try advanced techniques, you control your learning process.

Make Mistakes Without Consequences

Of course, when you’re first learning a skill, you’re rarely able to do it perfectly or even very well. So, obviously, you wouldn’t want your early, flawed attempts at suturing to be on an actual person! Practicing on a kit removes the fear of doing harm. You can mess up as often as you need and learn from your mistakes without any repercussions. 

Master the Basics Before Moving to Real Patients

The ability to practice repeatedly allows you to nail down essential skills such as proper needle placement, knot tying, and tension control. By the time you’re working on real patients, you’ll feel prepared and capable. These practice kits are also great for keeping your skills sharp even after you graduate. 

What Suture Practice Kits Include

A high-quality kit can make your practice sessions as realistic as possible while giving you everything you need to build confidence and skill. If you’re investing in one, make sure it has the tools and materials that will help you practice effectively and build skills you can rely on in real-life settings. Here’s a breakdown of what the kit should include.

  • Durable Silicone Suturing Pad with a realistic texture and elasticity, mimicking human tissue. The best pads are pre-cut with different wound shapes, so you can practice a variety of suture techniques.  
  • A Protective Case to keep your tools organized and safe. Plus, it makes your kit portable, so you can practice anytime, anywhere.  
  • Scalpel Blades and Handle for making precise incisions or refining existing ones on the pad. A good kit will include a reusable handle and disposable blades for easy replacement.  
  • Iris Scissors for cutting sutures cleanly and precisely 
  • Adson Forceps, which are fine-tipped to help you handle sutures and tissue with precision and the proper technique.  
  • Hegar Needle Holders for positioning and controlling the needle as you work through different suture patterns.  
  • Curved Mosquito Forceps for holding delicate tissue or clamping suture material, giving you better control during practice.  
  • Plenty of Suture Thread, and multiple types of thread, so you can get familiar with different materials you’ll encounter in real-life scenarios.  

My Recommendation for a High-Quality Suture Practice Kit

The Medarchitect Suture Practice Complete Kit offers everything a medical student needs to work on their suturing skills. This 30-piece kit features an authentic, human-skin-like silicone pad with 14 pre-cut wounds which were designed by doctors in realistic shapes and sizes. It also includes a full set of tools, such as scissors, forceps, needle holders, and four types of suture thread. The silicone pad is reinforced with a protective mesh to prevent tearing, making it durable and reusable for beginners.  

Here’s what you’ll find inside the kit:  

  • 14 Pre-Cut Wounds on Silicone Pad: Includes straight, curved, avulsion, and puncture wounds for varied practice.  
  • High-Quality Tools: Scissors, Adson forceps, Hegar needle holder, mosquito forceps, scalpel handle, and blades.  
  • Multiple Sutures: Includes Nylon, Polypropylene, Silk, and Polyester threads with needles.  
  • Durable Design: Three-layer silicone pad with a protective mesh for increased strength.  
  • Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic: Made with food-grade silicone, free from unpleasant odors.  
  • Portable and Reusable: Compact, lightweight, and easy to practice anywhere.  
  • Quality Guarantee: Refunds and replacements offered for dissatisfied customers.  

How to Buy Extra Materials and Replacement Parts 

After practicing sutures for a while, chances are you’ll eventually run low on supplies or need to replace some tools. It’s fairly easy to stock up on extra materials and replacement parts for your suture practice kit. Whether you’ve worn out your silicone pad, dulled your tools, or just need more suture thread, here’s how to keep your kit fully equipped so you can keep practicing like a pro.  

  • Check with the company that made your kit. Many manufacturers sell replacement parts like silicone pads, extra suture thread, or specific tools directly through their website. This is the best way to ensure compatibility with your kit and maintain the quality you’re used to.  
  • Sites like Amazon, eBay, or specialized medical supply stores often carry individual components, like needle drivers or forceps, as well as suture pads and thread refills.  
  • If you go through supplies quickly, stock up on bulk options or multipacks of suture thread, for example. 
  • As you progress with your skills, consider upgrading to higher-quality surgical instruments or advanced suture pads with more complex wound patterns. 
  • Some medical schools or training programs provide replacement materials for students or have recommendations for trusted suppliers. Contact your instructors for advice on where to find what you need.  
suture practice kit

My Top Picks for Replacement Parts for Your Suture Practice Kit

Here are my recommendations for buying additional supplies, such as thread (because that’s always the first thing you’ll run out of). And, although the suture pad included in your original kit is reusable and built to last long, eventually, the wear and tear of practicing may add up, or you may want to shift your practice to differently shaped wounds. So, I’m sharing my top pick to replace your original suture pad, as well.  

Extra Suture Thread and Needles

If you want to step up your suture practice game, this assorted training pack from Matrix Wizard is worth considering. It includes mixed sterile suture threads in different types of non-absorbable materials and in various sizes. It also provides a selection of sharp reverse-cutting needles. The quality is impressive for training purposes. (Not intended for clinical use.)

Here’s what’s included in each box:

  • 24 Suture Threads in four types (Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene, and Silk) and three sizes ranging from 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0.
  • Sharp Reverse-Cutting Needles in sizes of 25mm, 20mm, and 17mm to simulate a range of suturing techniques.
  • High-Quality Design: Provides strict quality control for a reliable and consistent training experience.

Suture Pad Replacement

The Medarchitect Upgraded Suture Practice Pad is built with more durability than your average silicone pad. It also comes with 19 pre-cut wounds in a variety of shapes to simulate real-life situations. Plus, it’s compact and portable.

Here are a few features that make this practice pad one of the best available for practicing sutures.

  • Built-in rip-resistant mesh that enhances durability and is resistant to tears, extending the pad’s life.
  • Made from food-grade silicone. It’s odorless, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly for safe, repeated use.
  • The pad measures 5.8 x 3.9 inches and is lightweight, making it easy to carry and practice wherever you go.
  • Includes 19 pre-cut wounds in various shapes (S, T, Y, straight, curve) for realistic practice scenarios.
  • Designed by doctors and tested by medical students, it mimics the types of wounds commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Tips for Using Your Suture Practice Kit

A suture practice kit can make such a difference in improving your technique, confidence, and efficiency. To get the most out of your kit, it’s important to approach your practice sessions with intention. Whether you’re a beginner trying to master the basics or a student preparing for clinical rotations, here’s how to up the realism to make your practice more effective. 

Keep Adjusting the Position of the Silicone Pad 

Since patients aren’t always in the ideal position for suturing, you’ve got to practice that way, too! So, move the pad around instead of keeping it stationary. It’ll help you get comfortable with working from different angles. Remember, practicing conditions that are less than ideal helps you prepare for real-life scenarios. 

Time How Long Each Suture Takes You

You don’t have all the time in the world in clinical settings. So, see how you’ll hold up under pressure by using a timer during your practice. Track how long it takes to complete each type of suture. If one technique consistently takes you longer, then get extra practice with it so you’re equally skilled across all suture types.  

Ask for Help  

Don’t be afraid to seek guidance from instructors or experienced professionals. Have them observe you while you practice so they can offer constructive feedback. Watching someone perform a suture and asking questions as they work can also give you valuable insights to refine your skills.  

Keep Your Suture Pad Clean

After each session, rinse your silicone pad under water and let it air dry. For a deeper clean, gently rub it with dish soap or use a silicone-safe makeup brush cleaner. Regular cleaning keeps your pad in good condition for repeated use.  

Prevent Your Pad from Moving

If your suture pad tends to slide around while you practice, add nonslip grips to the bottom. Stick self-adhesive gripping pads to the corners or use strips of rug grip for a larger surface area. Keeping your pad secure lets you focus on your technique.  

Track Your Progress 

Take pictures of your completed sutures and keep a progress diary to note your improvements and areas that need work. Better yet, record a video of your practice sessions. Watching playback can reveal small details in your technique. Maybe you didn’t realize that you need practice with tension control or needle placement until you’ve watched the video.  

Final Thoughts on Using a Suture Practice Kit in Medical School 

Mastering suturing is a practice that is best conducted in low-pressure, stress-free situations. Your suture practice kit is such a super helpful tool for improving your skills. You’ll eventually build confidence and refine your technique to the point that you’ll be prepared for when you encounter the real-world challenges of clinical rotations and beyond. 

Remember to take it one stitch at a time (pun intended!), track your progress, seek feedback, and embrace the learning process. Whether you’re just starting out or improving your skills, the time and effort you invest now will pay off in your future as a confident, capable medical professional.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Sana says

    This would be such a nice product for me to practice my suturing skills (something I’m super excited to learn in med school)!

    Reply

  22. Ryan Wants To Win says

    Thank you, Maggie, for telling us about this product and also offering it in a drawing. Suturing skills are good to have, even if one is not a general surgeon. Practice, practice, practice is the motto, I believe. Don’t put too much tension in the sutures. Take even bites.

    Thank you for the 24 days of Christmas. I hope that I win but anyone winning is also good.

    I wonder what specialty Maggie is planning to do.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
    Happy Holidays!

    Reply

  30. Ishika Jalodia says

    Woww, this would be such a good thing to have and be able to practice suturing skill. Thanks for bringing all these amazing things in front of us nad making us aware of these items that we should have!!

    Reply

  37. Lilian Lopez says

    I literally put this exact suture kit on my Christmas list! This would be so amazing and if I win I couldn’t thank God and you enough. You share so many helpful tips and I have learned so much about the med school process thanks to you and research. Thank you for doing this ❤️

    Reply

  41. Allie says

    This is so helpful and informative! Have you ever felt like you are using additional tools in class and rotations not in this kit that would be good to add?

    Reply

  42. Ananya says

    I just want to say how inspiring you are. Every thing you post makes me believe that I can achieve my dream. I would really love the suture set but I also wish you the best!

    Reply

  68. Do practice suturing Derek says

    The recipient of this gift or the people who buy it may become great medical students on their rotations and great residents. The thought might be that if you don’t but this, you may become a failure, flunk out of medical school, or be expelled from residency. That could call you to become destitute.

    The converse is that getting this will make you successful and the happiest person in the world.

    There was a surgery resident who tried to promote surgical simulator labs for residents. That is very honorable. Unfortunately, she lacked moral character and had an affair with one of the surgery residency faculty and even had a child with him. The woman’s husband found out about it when the baby didn’t look like him. Both are dark haired Armenian Americans but not the other man. Eventually, the cleated on husband shot his wife in the chest in her car after she ate there, an Arby’s in Huntington Beach, California. Her name was Janine Chalabian. She died at Arby’s. The husband when home and called the police, asking them to pick him up. He was put in jail from around 1997 and was released on parole in 2024 at around age 80.

    If there were these practice kits, maybe that resident wouldn’t have set up the surgical simulator lab and maybe she wouldn’t have had the affair. Therefore. buy this kit to avoid being shot at Arby’s, haha. (actually very serious….don’t get shot and do practice suturing)

    Good luck to the winner!

    Reply

  94. ashley mory says

    This is a must!! I gave away my old one to my older brother who needed it more to practice, this would be amazing to have again for my own practice 🙂

    Reply

  104. Rumesa Ali says

    I’ve seen a lot of people practice with suturing kits and this kit looks very useful. It’s never too early to start practicing your sutures.

    Reply

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