Empowering Future Surgeons with “The Art of Suturing” at NUMed
The Surgical Society held a workshop titled 'The Art of Suturing' to teach essential suturing skills, impart fundamental surgical knowledge, and create a sense of camaraderie among enthusiasts.
8 November 2023
The Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) Surgical Society hosted a workshop on “The Art of Suturing” on 28 October 2023. Attended by 80 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, the workshop, which consisted of several theoretical and hands-on sessions, was conceived to educate them on essential suturing and knotting skills as well as empowering them with fundamental surgical knowledge, in addition to fostering a sense of camaraderie among like-minded suture enthusiasts.
Twelve doctors were invited to share their skills and knowledge on this topic. They were Madam (Dr) Tuan Nur'Azmah bt. Tuan Mat, Head of General Surgery, Johor, Head of General Surgery Department at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA), Senior Consultant, General Surgeon; Mr (Dr) Tharveen Nair, General Surgeon at Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI); Miss (Dr) Joan Gan Cheau Yan, General Surgeon at HSI; Miss (Dr) Koh Pei Fern, General Surgeon at HSI; Dr Raymond Lim Zhun Ming from HSA; Dr Loh Qiang Lin from HSI; Dr Ghayathiri Partheeban from HSI; Dr Muhammad Amirul 'Aizat bin Esa from HSI; and Dr Pwi Jia Yee from HSA; as well as Associate Professor Dr Saad Muhmood Hussain Arraki (Clinical Lecturer and Surgical Society Advisor), Dr Bhuwaneswaran Vijayam (Clinical Lecturer), and Dr Ainun Amirah binti Abdul Rahim (Teaching Fellow) from NUMed.
The workshop began with a welcome note by Professor Harinarayan Radhakrishna, the university’s Dean of Clinical Affairs before Madam (Dr) Tuan Nur'Azmah delivered a keynote address. This was followed by talks on Sutures & Needles by Miss (Dr) Joan Gan, and Surgical Instruments by Miss (Dr) Koh.
Hands-on sessions were also held, where attendees were able to practise simple interrupted, simple continuous, vertical mattress, horizontal mattress, deep dermal and subcuticular sutures as well as one-hand and two-hand knot tying.
The workshop received extremely positive feedback from both attendees and invited guests. There was even one attendee who, despite his arm being in a sling, showed extreme dedication and determination in not letting this obstacle get in the way of his learning!
“I am immensely proud of the extraordinary success of this workshop. Witnessing our fellow students passionately engaged in the event made it all worthwhile!” enthused Chairperson/President Lau Jin Ren.
“On behalf of the society, I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our 12 esteemed guests who graciously accepted my invitation. Their expertise and unwavering support are truly inspiring. Special thanks are extended to Tee Ker Yin, Vice President of the Surgical Society, as well as Kavin Raj Purushottaman and Leong Kai Sin, the Event Directors, whose contributions were essential in ensuring the success of this workshop,” he added.
Encouraged by the resounding success of this workshop, the NUMed Surgical Society looks forward to amplifying its efforts in organising more events, including an educational series and a surgical symposium next year.
