title: Left-handed surgical instruments - a guide for cardiac surgeons.
abstract: For ease of use and to aid precision, left-handed instruments are invaluable to the left-handed surgeon. Although they exist, they are not available in many surgical centres. As a result, most operating theatre staff (including many left-handers) have little knowledge of their value or even application. With specific reference to cardiac surgery, this article addresses the ways in which they differ, why they are needed and what is required - with tips on use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK. clareburdett@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burdett
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theakston
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
authors.forename: Simon William Henry
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kendall
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D013525:Surgical Instruments
keywords: Cardiothoracic; Left handed; Left-handed; Lefthanded; Surgery; Surgical instruments; Surgical training