Prevalence and Impact of Left-Handedness in Neurosurgery

Approximately 10%-13% of the population is left-handed (LH), and certain professions have varied representation of LH individuals. LH surgeons must overcome unique difficulties owing to the right-handed (RH) operative environment. This study assesses prevalence and impact of left-handedness on training and operative experience of neurosurgeons.

An e-mail survey was designed and sent to 5109 U.S. neurosurgeons and neurosurgical trainees. The survey was completed by 1482 responders (29.0% response rate).

Of respondents, 252 (17.0%) reported being LH. LH neurosurgeons were more likely than RH neurosurgeons to report ambidexterity in the operating room (36.5% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.001). During neurosurgical training, 23.5% of RH trainers addressed LH-specific issues compared with 44.7% of LH trainers. LH trainers were more likely to describe LH trainees as having greater technical ability (18.9%). Most trainers reported equal comfort teaching LH and RH trainees. LH trainees reported difficulties with RH surgical tools (42.7%) and a tendency to alter handedness for surgery (62.7%). The impact of these areas lessens in LH attendings (27.8% and 39.9%, respectively). Most LH neurosurgeons denied specific training for left-handedness and access to LH-specific tools, and 24.0% of LH trainees reported feeling disadvantaged owing to their handedness.

LH neurosurgeons may be overrepresented in neurosurgery, yet handedness is rarely addressed in neurosurgical training. Despite this, there is evidence of some degree of adaptation through training. There may be some benefit from recognizing differences in handedness in the operating room and attempting to give access for LH-specific mentorship during training.