Becoming A Two-Handed Surgeon: Comparing Non-Dominant Hand Strength and Dexterity Across Training stages

Abstract Objective: Bimanual skill in the operating room is essential to the maturation of surgical trainees, yet normative data on surgeon grip strength and dexterity are limited. Comparing dominant-non-dominant hand asymmetry and absolute performance across various stages of surgical training allows educators to identify areas for improvement and assess how targeted interventions can enhance surgical performance.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students, surgical residents, and faculty. Hand strength was evaluated using a hydraulic dynamometer and pinch gauge across 4 tasks (hand grip, tip pinch, key-pinch, and palmar pinch). Manual dexterity was evaluated using the Purdue Pegboard across 4 tasks (dominant, non-dominant (ND), both-hand, and assembly). Within-subject asymmetry differences were analyzed using paired t-tests, and between-group comparisons across training stages using one-way ANOVA (α=0.05).