Knowledge of the B-Lynch Brace Suture Technique Among Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physicians

Background: The B-Lynch brace suture is invaluable in the surgical management of postpartum hemorrhage, particularly as a fertility-sparing alternative to hysterectomy. Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate knowledge patterns of the B-Lynch brace suture technique among obstetrics-gynecology resident physicians. Materials and Methods: A short anonymous and voluntary survey was administered to obstetricsgynecology resident physicians from various university-affiliated and community residency programs located in the northeastern United States. The questions were designed to help assess a resident physician's knowledge about the technique and intraoperative application of the B-Lynch brace suture. Resident physician responses were compared by postgraduate year (PGY) level. Chi-square (x2) and Fisher's exact tests were used when appropriate. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Seventy (58.3%) of 120 resident physicians completed the survey. Of these, 17 (24.3%) revealed that they had knowledge of the B-Lynch brace suture technique from previous educational experiences. Far fewer resident physicians had ever seen the intraoperative technique (9, 12.9%) or had any experience with intraoperative application (2, 2.9%). These findings remained unchanged even after excluding PGY-1 and PGY-2 resident responses from the analysis. Conclusions: A knowledge deficit about the technique and intraoperative application of the B-Lynch brace suture exists among obstetrics-gynecology resident physicians. Measures to promote the knowledge of this technique among obstetrics-gynecology resident physicians should be undertaken.