How To: Tie a one-handed surgical knot

This is a great technique that ought to be mastered by all in the medical profession. It's also useful around the house when your hands are tied!

Be sure to push down each knot and keep tension as in the video. Watch your left thumb, the placement of the suture on the lateral aspect of the thumbnail is the key to the whole knot. There are many ways to tie surgical knots. Practice slowly. If you try to go too quickly at first, you will become very fast at making mistakes. Practice starting the knots with both hands and at different angles.

In the OR, ED or office, the patient may be in a different postion from which you are familiar.

Different specialties use different knots. This technique is very fast after you master the technique!