Left-Handed Surgery: Pericardial Stays

This video is part of a series demonstrating cardiothoracic surgery performed by left-handed surgeons. This video demonstrates left-handed placement of pericardial stays.

Only 7-11% of the population is left handed. Surgical trainees who are left-handed are often at a disadvantage when starting their training, as right-handed trainers may have never seen a specific surgery performed by a left-handed surgeon, and thus the trainer may not be confident to suggest the optimal method to perform the surgery.

The hope is that this series of videos will help new left-handed trainees, and also right-handed trainers who may wish to review the techniques before assisting a left-handed trainee. All surgeons are encouraged to post a comment about experiences with left-handed surgery, in training or as a trainer. Left-handed surgeons interested in contributing to this series may submit videos here.