Left-handedness--a handicap for training in surgery?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Human Laterality

Background:

• Historically, left-handedness faced stigma and suppression.
• Limited data exists on left-handedness impact in surgical training.
• This review addresses the challenges and implications of left-handedness in surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on left-handedness in surgical training.
• To identify challenges faced by left-handed surgical trainees and trainers.
• To explore potential solutions for improving surgical education for left-handed individuals.

Main Methods:

• Systematic electronic and manual literature searches were conducted.
• Two investigators, one left- and one right-handed, performed independent searches.
• Included studies focused on surgical training and left-handedness.

Main Results:

• Nineteen studies were identified, exhibiting heterogeneous data, primarily from surveys.
• Left-handedness caused anxiety for residents and trainers, with a lack of laterality mentoring.
• Surgical instruments are not optimized for left-handed use, necessitating ambidexterity training and potentially causing pressure to switch handedness.

Conclusions:

• Left-handedness poses significant challenges for both surgical trainees and trainers.
• Early, laterality-focused mentoring and the provision of left-handed instruments are recommended.
• These interventions may mitigate difficulties for left-handed surgeons during their training.