3101: Can you do the 10-10-10 challenge?
The majority of young surgeons will graduate from ophthalmology residency without being able to successfully complete the 10-10-10 challenge. Learning how to use your hands under the microscope durig early residency training requires building muscle memory through deliberate, timed wet lab practice. The 10-10-10 challenge requires junior PGY2 residents to place, throw, tie, and trim 10 individual 10-0 nylon sutures accurately in under 10 minutes. Practicing under strict time constraints forces novice surgeons to optimize instrument positioning, streamline hand movements, and refine delicate knot-tying mechanics before stepping into the live operating room. Building rapid, precise suturing dexterity early in surgical education ensures residents are able to work well under the microscope. Watch the video to see how PGY2 residents master the 10-10-10 challenge to build essential microsurgical speed and control. What specific wet lab drills or timed exercises do you recommend to residents to help accelerate their microsurgical dexterity? Please comment your thoughts below.
