A left handed surgeon’s handicap: Technical note on the ambidextrous use of a Watson knife in burns surgery

Cunnane, Max; Thomas, Rachael; Creasy, Henrietta; Dheansa, Baljit

doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.03.018

Cited by 1 publication

(3 citation statements)

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“…Our analysis did not include instruments such as Watson skin-grafting knives; however, they are known to present a challenge to left-handed surgeons. Cunnane et al 14 described a technical modification to facilitate the use of this right-handed tool in the left hand. Plastic surgeons are known for finding creative solutions to complex problems, and it is therefore no surprise to find reports of technical adaptations of right-handed tools originating from plastic surgeons.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Plastic surgeons are known for finding creative solutions to complex problems, and it is therefore no surprise to find reports of technical adaptations of right-handed tools originating from plastic surgeons. 10 , 14 We encourage plastic surgeons to continue to publish their innovations that help make left-handed surgeons more comfortable in the operating room.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although encouraging, only editorials 9 and brief technical reports on the subject have been described within plastic surgery. 10 , 14 , 15 Previous surveys of left-handed surgeons have been published; however, they were non–plastic surgery specific, with results that may not be generalizable. 2 , 7 , 16 , 17 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Left-handed Plastic Surgery Trainee: Perspectives and Recommendations

Savetsky

Cammarata

Kantar

et al. 2020

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: Left-handed surgeons experience difficulty with tools designed for use in the right hand. The purpose of this study was to examine instrument laterality and to survey the experiences of left-handed plastic surgery trainees. Methods: Count sheets for plastic surgery trays (reconstructive, microsurgery, rhinoplasty, craniofacial) were acquired from Tisch Hospital, NYU Langone Health. Instruments with right-handed laterality were tallied. A survey was also distributed to plastic surgery residents and fellows to determine hand preference for surgical tasks, and those who identified as left-handed described how handedness impacted their training. Results: Right-handed laterality was seen in 15 (31.3%) of the 48 reconstructive instruments, 17 (22.7%) of the 75 rhinoplasty instruments, and 22 (31.0%) of the 71 craniofacial instruments. One-hundred percent of the 25 microsurgery instruments were ambidextrous. There were 97 survey responses. Trainees (17.5%) were identified as left-handed and were more likely than right-handed trainees to report operating with both hands equally or with the opposite hand (47.1% versus 1.3%; P < 0.001). Left-handed trainees were significantly more likely than right-handed trainees to use their nondominant hand with scissors ( P < 0.001), electrocautery ( P = 0.03), and needle drivers ( P < 0.001) and when performing tissue dissection ( P < 0.001) and microsurgery ( P = 0.008). There was no difference in use of the nondominant hand between right and left-handed trainees for knot tying ( P = 0.83) and in use of the scalpel ( P = 0.41). Conclusions: Left-handed plastic surgery trainees frequently encounter instruments designed for the nondominant hand, with which they adaptively perform several surgical tasks. Mentoring may help trainees overcome the laterality-related challenges of residency.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%