Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees
Background: Left-handedness is often perceived as a disadvantage in surgical training due to the predominance of right-handed instruments and right-handed mentors. Whether this affects the performance of left-handed trainees remains unclear. This study aims to compare the suturing proficiency of lef...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Surgery Open Science |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589845025000156 |
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| _version_ | 1849766242930393088 |
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| author | Elio R. Bitar Joelle Hassanieh Salim Rahhal Batoul Zaiter Ahmad Zaghal |
| author_facet | Elio R. Bitar Joelle Hassanieh Salim Rahhal Batoul Zaiter Ahmad Zaghal |
| author_sort | Elio R. Bitar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Left-handedness is often perceived as a disadvantage in surgical training due to the predominance of right-handed instruments and right-handed mentors. Whether this affects the performance of left-handed trainees remains unclear. This study aims to compare the suturing proficiency of left-handed and right-handed novice learners when taught by right-handed instructors using right-handed tools. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, non-inferiority trial was conducted among students without prior suturing experience, divided by handedness. Participants underwent a teaching session on simple interrupted suturing using right-handed instruments and were assessed using a validated ten-item checklist. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction and were assessed via subjective questionnaires. Results: Among 129 participants (86 right-handed, 43 left-handed), no significant difference in suturing performance was observed between groups. However, left-handed participants reported subjective difficulties using right-handed instruments, and instructors noted challenges teaching them. Conclusion: Handedness does not impact the final outcome of basic surgical skills teaching. However, left-handed students may perceive more challenges due to right-handed tools and techniques. Tailoring teaching strategies and providing hand-specific tools may improve their learning experience. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-58681b59441c46d5999cb773c02fa58d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2589-8450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Surgery Open Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-58681b59441c46d5999cb773c02fa58d2025-08-20T03:04:38ZengElsevierSurgery Open Science2589-84502025-03-0124515710.1016/j.sopen.2025.02.006Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed traineesElio R. Bitar0Joelle Hassanieh1Salim Rahhal2Batoul Zaiter3Ahmad Zaghal4Corresponding authors at: Department of General Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Lebanon.; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonDivision of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonDivision of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonDivision of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonCorresponding authors at: Department of General Surgery, Division of General Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Riad El-Solh, 1107 2020, Lebanon.; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonBackground: Left-handedness is often perceived as a disadvantage in surgical training due to the predominance of right-handed instruments and right-handed mentors. Whether this affects the performance of left-handed trainees remains unclear. This study aims to compare the suturing proficiency of left-handed and right-handed novice learners when taught by right-handed instructors using right-handed tools. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized, non-inferiority trial was conducted among students without prior suturing experience, divided by handedness. Participants underwent a teaching session on simple interrupted suturing using right-handed instruments and were assessed using a validated ten-item checklist. Secondary outcomes included satisfaction and were assessed via subjective questionnaires. Results: Among 129 participants (86 right-handed, 43 left-handed), no significant difference in suturing performance was observed between groups. However, left-handed participants reported subjective difficulties using right-handed instruments, and instructors noted challenges teaching them. Conclusion: Handedness does not impact the final outcome of basic surgical skills teaching. However, left-handed students may perceive more challenges due to right-handed tools and techniques. Tailoring teaching strategies and providing hand-specific tools may improve their learning experience.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589845025000156 |
| spellingShingle | Elio R. Bitar Joelle Hassanieh Salim Rahhal Batoul Zaiter Ahmad Zaghal Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees Surgery Open Science |
| title | Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees |
| title_full | Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees |
| title_fullStr | Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees |
| title_full_unstemmed | Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees |
| title_short | Handedness in surgical education: Evaluating suturing proficiency among left- and right-handed trainees |
| title_sort | handedness in surgical education evaluating suturing proficiency among left and right handed trainees |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589845025000156 |
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