title: Technical modifications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy by the left-handed surgeon.
abstract: There is a complete paucity of literature for left-handed surgeons. Some studies revealed that left-handed surgical residents have lesser operating skills and some surgeons have considered leaving surgery at some point in their career owing to laterality-related frustrations. Most important, whereas minimally invasive surgical techniques have had a profound impact on the treatment of diseased gallbladder, these procedures do not eliminate laterality related to the discomfort of left-handed surgeons. Usually, left-handed surgeons must teach themselves a procedure. They must make modifications and learn some technical tips to make a more comfortable, convenient, and safe intervention. The aim of this study was to describe some modifications made by a left-handed surgeon to perform 52 safe laparoscopic cholecystectomies with standard right-handed instruments in our hospital. These surgical steps could be used in a reproducible way to minimize the recurring difficulties of left-handed learners in a surgical residency program.
authors: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, University Hospital of Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Herrero-Segura
authors: Eudaldo M
authors: EM
authors: López-Tomassetti Fernández
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Medina-Arana
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D013525:Surgical Instruments