Is surgical subspecialization associated with hand grip strength and manual dexterity? A cross-sectional study

Reickly D N Constansia; Judith E K R Hentzen; Carlijn I Buis; Joost M Klaase; Vincent E de Meijer; Mark Meerdink

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103159

Is surgical subspecialization associated with hand grip strength and manual dexterity? A cross-sectional study

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Dec 7:73:103159. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103159. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Authors

Reickly D N Constansia¹, Judith E K R Hentzen¹, Carlijn I Buis¹, Joost M Klaase¹, Vincent E de Meijer¹, Mark Meerdink¹

Affiliation

¹ University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Surgery, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare hand grip strength (HGS) and manual dexterity of academic, subspecialized surgeons.

Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was performed among 61 surgeons. HGS was analysed with a hand dynamometer and manual dexterity was extensively analysed with a Purdue Pegboard Test. Correlations between HGS and manual dexterity and specific characteristics of the surgeons were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r).

Results: HGS and manual dexterity were comparable between surgeons from different specialities. HGS was positively correlated with male gender (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) and hand glove size (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), whereas manual dexterity was negatively correlated with male gender (r = -0.35, p = 0.006), age (r = -0.39, = 0.002), and hand glove size (r = -0.46, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Surgical subspecialization was not correlated with HGS or manual dexterity. Male surgeons have greater HGS, whereas female surgeons have better manual dexterity. Manual dexterity is also correlated with age, showing better scores for younger surgeons.

Keywords: Academic surgery; Hand grip strength; Manual dexterity.