'Surgical skills box': a new training aid for surgical trainees.

INTRODUCTION

Surgical trainees now receive less operating experience with the reduction in junior doctor hours.

DESIGN

We designed a simple, portable, versatile 'surgical skills box' which allowed surgical trainees to practise vascular anastomosis, suturing, tonsil ties, hand ties and grommet insertion.

DISCUSSION: With surgical trainees now receiving reduced operating experience it is more important than ever for them to practise their surgical skills outside the operating theatre environment.