Putting the Spotlight on Surgeons: Work-Related Injuries in Minimally Invasive Surgeons

INTRODUCTION: The health care industry has one of the highest rates of work-related injuries, even when compared with traditional labor-intensive occupations. Surgeons are in particular risk since they repetitively perform the classic tenets of poor ergonomics, including operating in static, extreme positions and for prolonged periods of time. Understanding the risk factors and principles and utilizing techniques of operation room ergonomics can minimize the physical demands and result in a long, healthy, and pain-free surgical career. The first step in this process is raising awareness among surgeons. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the minimally invasive surgeon’s perception of their general health and evaluate awareness of possible work-related injuries. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study including all surgeons practicing minimally invasive surgery (following completion of training) from subspecialties including gynecology, urology, orthopedics, general surgery, pediatrics, plastic, and ear–throat–nose. Surgeons were invited by email to complete an anonymous computerized questionnaire regarding their perception of lifestyle, general health, and potentially work-related abnormal symptoms and injuries. Completion of the questionnaire was considered as written consent to participate in the study. RESULTS: The study population included 69 surgeons, of whom 33 (48%) were female and 36 (52%) were male. The mean age was 45 years (±10.07 SD), and the mean BMI was 25.36 kg/m2 (±6.40 SD). The most common marital status was married (n=53, 76.8%), with an average of two children (n=24, 34.8%). Most surgeons (n=68, 98%) considered themselves healthy, and 61 (88.4%) reported maintaining a healthy diet. Nearly two-thirds of the participants (n=39, 56.5%) had more than 10 years of surgical experience, with the majority (n=49, 71%) performing 5–10 surgeries per week. Only 7 (10%) surgeons practiced robotic surgery for 75% or more of their cases. Over half reported using pain control medications, with 8.6% using them weekly and 4.3% daily. One in four surgeons (n=17, 24.6%) believed they had a work-related injury, primarily affecting the neck and back. Eleven (16%) surgeons reported changing their practice due to these injuries, while one surgeon (1.4%) stopped operating completely. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive surgeons report a high rate of work-related injuries, primarily affecting the neck and back, which leads to increased consumption of pain medications.