Bilateral procedures in maxillofacial surgery in the United Kingdom: survey of higher trainees' performance and experience

We conducted a survey targeting all higher surgical trainees in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United Kingdom to find out their dominant hand, ability and confidence using powered instruments, and any trends in the likelihood of operating on one or other side of an index bilateral operation: the bilateral sagittal split mandibular osteotomy. We also explored the attitudes of trainees and trainers towards non-dominant manual dexterity. and whether senior Consultants were more likely to adopt certain rehearsed routines and approaches when supervising trainees. (C) 2008 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.