Comparison of different suture techniques for laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure

Laparoscopic hysterectomy is a commonly performed procedure. However, one high-risk complication is vaginal cuff dehiscence. Currently, there is no standardization regarding thread material or suturing technique for vaginal cuff closure. Therefore, this study aimed to compare extracorporeal and intracorporeal suturing techniques for vaginal cuff closure using a pelvic trainer model. Eighteen experts in laparoscopic surgery performed vaginal cuff closures with interrupted sutures using intracorporeal knotting, extracorporeal knotting and continuous, unidirectional barbed sutures. While using an artificial tissue suturing pad in a pelvic trainer, experts performed vaginal cuff closure using each technique according to block randomization. Task completion time, tension resistance, and the number of errors were recorded. After completing the exercises, participants answered a questionnaire concerning the suturing techniques and their performance. Experts completed suturing more quickly (p &..., Study design
We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled study at the University Hospital Basel from the 1st November 2021 to 30th April 2022. Eighteen participants were randomized in block randomizations of three. All participants performed interrupted intracorporeal, extracorporeal, and continuous barbed suturing for VCC using each technique according to their randomization. For the primary endpoint, the time required to complete a task was recorded during each participant’s performance. Following the task, the secondary endpoints (i) precision, (ii) knot strength, (iii) cuff closure spreadability, and (iv) number of mistakes made were measured. Before and after completing the tasks, participants were given questionnaires. The first asked about their background and the second about their experience while completing the exercises. (Figure 1). 
Power analysis
The required sample size was estimated using a power analysis, calculated based on two-sided, paired t-tests with power set..., , # Data\_template\_experts\_vaginal\_cuff\_closure

Study design
We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study. Eighteen participants were randomized in block randomizations of three. All participants performed interrupted intracorporeal, extracorporeal, and continuous barbed suture for VCC. They performed a VCC of each technique according to their randomization. For the primary endpoint, the time required to complete a task was recorded during each participants performance. After the task, the secondary endpoints (i) precision, (ii) knot strength, (iii) cuff closure spread ability, and (iv) number of mistakes made were measured. Before and after completing the tasks, participants were given a questionnaire asking about their background and their experience while completing the exercises. Figure 1

Exercises
The colpotomy model was made of mesh-augmented silicone with a similar shape and size as the real colpotomy, and was set up on the posterior wall of the box trainer.
A short...