Left-handed cardiac surgery and training: a survey-based assessment

There is a lack of guidance and scant learning resources for left-handed (LH) cardiac surgery residents and surgeons. No objective data exists to evaluate the reality of the training experience of LH cardiac surgeons and residents.

A 32-question survey was designed for LH cardiac surgeons and residents. The survey questions were aimed towards understanding the experiences of LH cardiac surgeons and residents in order to identify and determine where the challenges of LH in cardiac surgery lie. The survey was disseminated by the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery (EACTS) through online platforms, social media and the EACTS website.

74 total responses were gathered from the survey; 73% were true LH operators. During residency, 78.1% of LH cardiac surgery residents had no access to LH faculty. Of those with LH mentors, only 53.3% were supportive and helped teach LH techniques. As trainees, 49.3% considered coronary artery bypass grafting anastomosis to be the most difficult portion of LH technique. Upon initiating independent practice, LH cardiac surgeons consider being LH an advantage in comparison to residency.

In LH cardiac surgery, there is a lack of tailored surgical exposure, training guidance, standardization, learning tools and teaching resources. Training resources for LH cardiac surgeons and residents should be developed.