Table 1 List of skills taught, with length of time and materials used for the surgical skills training course

Scrubbing, gowning & gloving (OSCE)

To demonstrate proper techniques for surgical scrubbing and donning of surgical gowns and gloves while maintaining sterile field

Cloth theatre gowns, plastic gloves

Patient preparation

To demonstrate proper technique for patient skin sterilization to prepare field prior to surgery

Wood bench draped with plastic with abdominal landmarks (Figure 2)

Surgical knot tying (OSCE)

To demonstrate proper knot tying techniques and their indications

Ethicon knot tying models (Figure 3)

Venous cutdown (OSCE)

To learn indications for venous cutdown; identify the anatomical location of long saphenous vein; perform a venesection using simulated leg

Plastic tube placed on arm stabilizer covered with foam & vinyl

Adult intubation (OSCE)

To demonstrate technique for adult intubation: visualize laryngeal cords, insert endotracheal tube and properly ventilate using an ambu bag

Adult intubation mannequin ("Airway Larry")

Chest tube insertion

To state the indications for chest tube insertion and demonstrate the technique for chest tube insertion

Teaching skeleton rib cage draped with foam & vinyl (Figure 4)

Laparotomy (OSCE)

To open anterior abdominal wall using midline incision and close abdomen in layers using mattress sutures

Wood frame with foam, clear & colored vinyl (Figure 5)

Small bowel repair

To understand the principles of bowel repair and perform repair of perforated bowel

Inner tubes from bicycle tires (Figure 6)

Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery

To know the indications for vacuum-assisted delivery; demonstrate positioning of suction cup and proper guidance of the delivery

Obstetrical mannequin