Handedness, Lesion Laterality and Surgical Outcomes in Intracranial Neurosurgical Patients in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
Abstract: Background: Handedness reflects cerebral lateralization and may serve as a practical indicator of hemispheric dominance, particularly in resource-limited neurosurgical settings. However, its clinical relevance among neurosurgical patients in sub-Saharan Africa remains underexplored.Objective:To determine the distribution of handedness and evaluate its relationship with lesion laterality and surgical outcomes among intracranial neurosurgical patients in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive and analytical study included patients managed for intracranial neurosurgical conditions between January 2021 and December 2025. Data on demographics, handedness, diagnosis, lesion laterality, surgical intervention, and outcomes were extracted from clinical records. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, with associations assessed using appropriate inferential statistical test such as the chi-square test.
Results: Among 329 patients, 85.1% were right-handed, 11.2% left-handed, and 3.7% mixed-handed. Left hemispheric lesions were most frequent (46.5%). Although right-handed patients more commonly had left-sided lesions, the association between handedness and lesion laterality was not significant (χ² = 3.98, p = 0.68). Of 222 surgical patients, 65.3% improved, and mortality was 5.0%. Postoperative outcomes did not differ significantly across handedness groups (χ² = 5.21, p = 0.52).
Conclusion: Handedness distribution mirrors global patterns. While it reflects general cerebral lateralization, it does not significantly influence short-term surgical outcomes.
Keywords: Cerebral lateralization, Handedness, Intracranial neurosurgery, Lesion laterality, Surgical outcomes