Surgical resident's dominant hand may influence outcomes of cataract extraction

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35(6):1019-1025.

Left-handed residents may be more likely to perform successful cataract surgery without complications than right-handed residents.

According to a retrospective review of 1,730 cataract surgeries performed by 36 fourth-year residents over a 5-year period, rates of posterior capsule tear and vitreous loss were significantly lower among left-handed residents than among right-handed residents.

Three of the 36 residents were left-handed (8.3%), but the distribution is similar to what is found in the general public (left-handedness occurs in about 11% of the population). In the review, 3.6% of surgeries performed by left-handed surgeons involved a posterior capsule tear compared with 8.8% performed by right-handed residents (P = .02); as well, 0.6% of cases in the left-handed group and 7.1% in the right-handed group involved vitreous loss (P < .001).

According to the review, resident right-handedness and older patient age were found to independently increase the risk for either posterior capsule tear or vitreous loss, and a small pupil was predictive of increased incidence of vitreous loss.

The study authors suggested that a number of factors could explain the differences in complication rates, including that left-handed individuals might develop better ambidextrous skills by virtue of living in a right-handed dominated world. Citing neuropsychological profiles of right- and left-handed general surgeons, the study authors also suggested that left-handed surgeons may be more technically proficient.