Objective　To investigate the applicability of multimedia technology in the training of basic surgical skills for medical students. Methods　Original multimedia teaching videos were made in accord with the curriculum. Eighty second year medical students rotating in the department of surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included in the first trial. The students were randomized into the multimedia training group and the traditional training group. After the lesson for central catheter placement， the results of the written test were compared between two groups and ques tionnaires for satisfaction were collected from the multimedia training group. Forty nine first year medi cal students participating in the surgical skill experimental lessons were included in the second study. There were 26 students in the multimedia training group and 23 students in the traditional training group. The training results were compared by skill examinations and by telephone survey of clinical teaching surgeons. Situation between the two groups was compared using the chi square test or t test. Results　The written test scores of the multimedia training group were better than the traditional training group（P=0.000）. There was no difference in skill examinations between two groups（P=0.477）. According to the questionnaires， 100% of students considered the multimedia technology helpful in the learning of basic surgical skills. The telephone survey showed that the students in the multimedia training group demonstrated better clinical skills than the other group， although insignifi cantly（P=0.056）. Conclusions　Multimedia technology showed advantages over traditional training in the teaching of basic surgical skills， leading to better acquisition in class and more effective application in clinical practice.