Training on synthetic ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model allows novice medical students to acquire suture skills

purpose: to assess the acquisition of suture skills by training on ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model in novice medical students. methods: sixteen medical students without previous surgery experience (novices) were randomly divided into two groups. during one hour group a trained sutures on ethylene-vinyl acetate (eva) bench model with feedback of instructors, while group b (control) received a faculty-directed training based on books and instructional videos. all students underwent a both pre-and post-tests to perform two-and three-dimensional sutures on ox tongue. all recorded performances were evaluated by two blinded evaluators, using the global rating scale. results: although both groups have had a better performance (p<0.05) in the post-test when compared with the pre-test, the analysis of post-test showed that group a (eva) had a better performance (p<0.05) when compared with group b (control). conclusion: the ethylene vinyl acetate bench model allowed the novice students to acquire suture skills faster when compared to the traditional model of teaching.