![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_40_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=qDSn7V4O 40w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=FBikGkhV 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=41B3cQIH 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=X4zP78LB 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=XHWjlnOe 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=025z233w 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=rYZmnCPn 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=QE5yz40C 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=i1Hs41FO 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=Mi1wdsqJ 1280w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600_3_1/public/media/images/2023-07/dsc02234.jpg?itok=3YtkGLRO 1600w)
Skill Module: Teabags
Skills: Needle control, sewing
On this page:
- Supplies and Setup
- Instructions and Objectives
- Scoring Rubric
- Scorecard
Supplies and Setup
Supplies
- 2 teabags – Barry’s (pictured) or similar
- Suture (we use a 4-0 braided absorbable suture on a taper needle, cut to 30cm in length)
- 1 piece of unmarked white paper, marking pen, and ruler
OR print out of:
Rings.pdf
Set up
- Draw your ring: 12cm-diameter circle.
- Mark two starting lines 2cm off the midline.
- Steep your teabags. Squeeze out the excess tea.
- Place the teabags on the starting lines, tented against each other.
Objectives
Primary objectives
- Sew teabags to each other along the top (long) edge.
- 4 interrupted sutures: 1 surgeon’s knot, 1 vertical mattress, 1 horizontal mattress, one free choice. 4 knots in each.
- Don’t cut your last suture. Run it to the end of the pouch, making at least 3 passes of your needle, and tie it.
Technical objectives
- Suture precisely at the interface between the collar and the tea pouch.
- Space your sutures evenly and leave yourself enough suture to complete the task.
- Tie down. No air knots. Avoid pulling on your suture and moving your tea bag out of the ring or tearing the collar.
Anatomy of a Teabag
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=fmy6YbeA 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=Xhg9bPjF 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=Ck1srq7c 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=TvE3mWZz 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=MtnoGSkA 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=RzaBTkQ0 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=cRdli9PC 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=AqmvbF7l 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=nyYCPJ4H 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/teabag_anatomy.png?itok=tHjME5m- 1280w)
Scoring Rubric
Did you complete the exercise in under 20 minutes?
- Yes: under 10 minutes (15 points)
- Yes: 10-15 minutes (10 points)
- Yes: 15-20 minutes (5 points)
- No (0 points)
Are there marks outside of the ring?
- Yes (0 points)
- No (10 points)
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=nMcdsGi7 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=ohKcWhcu 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=A1jrHgGx 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=ai7ShqdJ 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=ljtDINxU 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=1GgXDghd 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=7eWjnhaz 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=INMvSmNX 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=Bj-r8D-n 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/inside_outside_ring.jpg?itok=MhPS9ai7 1280w)
Are your sutures placed precisely?
- All sutures are through the inside half of the collar (15 points)
- All sutures are through the collar but one or more are placed in the outside half; none are placed into the tea pouch (5 points)
- One or more sutures are placed into the tea pouch (0 points)
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=OCPR4VyG 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=VYjiCd5p 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=54DGtjQs 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=-hgUyOPT 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=6zvsR4k5 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=rN_Z7feK 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=1_Pnvq7W 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=QTEH6Vx3 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=dz5RU6K- 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/suture_placement.png?itok=ttdMxAiz 1280w)
Did any of your sutures or instruments pull through and tear the teabag?
- No (15 points)
- Yes - tore the collar (5 points)
- Yes - tore/poked through the tea pouch (2 points)
- Yes - tore/poked through the tea pouch, causing spillage of tea leaves (0 points)
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=UPvcyWzg 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=RklyR0JO 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=J9Nt7aJ9 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=HPJBF3S_ 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=Cvzj1qWi 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=TnjZFjOa 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=jd3mMLw7 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=ALF7k1Up 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=PLfgp9AJ 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/tear.png?itok=cN-rl0t7 1280w)
Are there any air knots?
- Yes (0 points)
- No (15 points)
Are your interrupted sutures equally spaced?
- Yes - the distance between knots is similar (no more than 3mm variance in spacing between sutures) (10 points)
- No - the distance between knots is variable (>3mm variance in spacing between sutures) (0 points)
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=rY2aOGRv 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=6M66OoML 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=GsCEI8BX 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=fMkJLTcm 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=V-aBh-xq 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=WuNmPWlV 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=vpw_BgUG 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=1GejieIz 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=15LRdSGt 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/equidistant.png?itok=XGi1rbMs 1280w)
Does your suture span the edges of the tea pouch?
- Yes (15 points)
- No (0 points)
![](https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=cjtJI1e_ 200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=OebZBNFs 260w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=efIhoEJz 320w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=6tTd-32m 400w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=eLo64FPr 520w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=Hwoqmo-g 640w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=nwE-V3gX 800w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=z0ZoxdZx 1040w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=aq8khy3- 1200w, https://www.vagelos.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-10/span.png?itok=tyXfio3B 1280w)
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