Workforce-optimized traction method for lower limb burn surgery: Intraoperative verification

• Novel ceiling-mounted traction system for lower limb burn surgery optimization. • Improves surgical exposure in medial, lateral, and posterior leg regions. • Real-time height (0–70 cm) and angle (0°–90°) adjustment enhances flexibility. • Reduces surgeon fatigue and manual traction effort. • Introduces novel lower limb zoning for targeted burn surgery planning. Maintaining lower limb positioning is essential during burn debridement and grafting. Traditional manual traction or mechanical supports are labor-intensive and lack flexibility. We designed a novel ceiling-mounted traction system to optimize manpower use and improve surgical field exposure. A ceiling-mounted elliptical track with an adjustable hook system was developed, allowing real-time adjustment of traction height (0–70 cm) and angle (0°–90°). Twenty-two patients (40 procedures) with deep partial- or full-thickness lower limb burns were. randomized to an experimental group using the new device (n = 20) or a control group with manual traction (n = 20). Surgeon fatigue and surgical field exposure were assessed using a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Compared with the control group, the experimental group reported significantly lower fatigue scores in medial, lateral, and posterior regions (p < 0.001), with no difference in the anterior region. Surgical field exposure satisfaction was also significantly higher in the experimental group for medial, lateral, and posterior regions (p < 0.001), with no difference in the anterior region. The adjustable ceiling-mounted traction system enables rapid intraoperative repositioning, reduces surgeon fatigue, and enhances surgical field exposure, particularly in posterior lower limb areas. This method offers a feasible solution for manpower optimization in burn surgery.