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. 2020 Sep 17;15(1):13-17.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1716992. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Effect of Music on the Efficiency of Performing a Microsurgical Arterial Anastomosis: A Prospective Randomized Study

Stefan M Froschauer  1   2 , Matthias Holzbauer  2 , Oskar Kwasny  1   2 , Philipp Kastner  3 , Richard F Schnelzer  1 , Meike Hopfner  1 , Dominik Duscher  1   4
Affiliations

Effect of Music on the Efficiency of Performing a Microsurgical Arterial Anastomosis: A Prospective Randomized Study

Stefan M Froschauer et al. J Hand Microsurg. .

Abstract

Introduction Music is commonly played in operating rooms. Because microsurgery demands utmost concentration and precise motor control, we conducted the present study to investigate a potentially beneficial impact of music on performing a microsurgical anastomosis. Materials and Methods We included a novice group (15 inexperienced medical students) and a professional group (15 experienced microsurgeons) in our study. Simple randomization was performed to allocate participants to the music-playing first or music-playing second cohort. Each participant performed two end-to-end anastomoses on a chicken thigh model. Participant demographics, their subjective preference for work environment (music/no music), and time to completion were noted. The performance of the participants was assessed using the Stanford Microsurgery and Resident Training (SMaRT) scale by an independent examiner, and the final anastomoses were evaluated according to the anastomosis lapse index. Results Listening to music had no significant effect on time to completion, SMaRT scale, and anastomosis lapse index scores in both novice and professional cohorts. However, the subjective preference to work while listening to music correlated with high SMaRT scale scores within the professional cohort ( p = 0.044). Conclusion Playing their preferred music in the operating room improves the performance scores of surgeons, but only if they subjectively appreciate working with background music.

Keywords: arterial anastomosis; microsurgery; music; surgical education.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Intimal view of a longitudinally cut anastomosis assessed with 0 anastomosis lapse index points, representing a perfect anastomosis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Time to complete the task among novices and professionals with and without music.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Anastomosis lapse index scores of novices and professionals with and without music.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Stanford Microsurgery and Resident Training scale scores of novices and professionals with and without music.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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