Practice of ergonomics in laparoscopic gynecological surgeries and its effects on surgeons in a low-middle income country

Despite the need to follow ergonomic guidelines for efficient work, standard practices are lacking. The evolution of laparoscopic surgery has raised ergonomic issues further. This was a cross-sectional study using the online questionnaire survey by CHERRIES and STROBE guidelines among 64 laparoscopic practicing gynecological surgeons after the ethical approval. Continuous convenience sampling was used. The JASP 0.19 software was used, and descriptive analysis and relative risk were calculated. Among 64 surgeons who participated in the survey, 45 (70.31%) surgeons were aware of the ergonomics guidelines in laparoscopy, whereas 41 (64.06%) claimed to practice but 4 (6.25%) didn't practice guidelines with the risk of not practicing 11.25 (95% CI 4.15-28.67). Total of 59 (92.19%) surgeons reported feeling musculoskeletal pain, where 46(71.88%) had pain in at least 2 body parts, commonly neck pain 44 (68.75%) followed by wrist pain 26 (40.63%). Among those surgeons feeling pain, 50 (78.13%) had not sought treatment and only 2(3.13%) took leave for rest. The risk of musculoskeletal pain when ergonomics was not practiced is 1.06 (95% CI 0.928-1.211). When the instrument didn't fit well in the hand the risk of wrist pain was 1.25 (95% CI 0.447-3.494).