Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Aug 1;36(4):260-265.
doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000968. Epub 2024 May 21.

Ergonomic considerations for unique surgeon populations

Emily Olig  1 , Gina Ranieri, Michelle Louie
Affiliations
Review

Ergonomic considerations for unique surgeon populations

Emily Olig et al. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Surgeons are rapidly diversifying as a population, introducing new ergonomic challenges. This review describes the challenges that are experienced by special populations of surgeons including small-handed surgeons, pregnant surgeons, and trainees, and evidence-based solutions to overcome them.

Recent findings: Small-handed and female surgeons report more musculoskeletal complaints compared with their male counterparts. Pregnant surgeons frequently report development or worsening of musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and low back pain. Trainees also report high rates of musculoskeletal complaints with minimal autonomy to alter their environment. Limited objective data exists regarding the ideal instruments currently available for special populations. Several small, randomized studies have proposed exercise regimens targeting the upper extremities and pregnancy-related pain syndromes with improvements in symptoms. Various methods of ergonomic education have been studied in trainees with improvements in operating room posture and performance.

Summary: Limited objective data is available to recommend specific surgical instruments for high-risk surgeon populations. Beneficial exercise regimens have been described for musculoskeletal disorders commonly plaguing surgeons but have yet to be studied explicitly in small-handed or pregnant surgeons and trainees.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Morton J, Stewart GD. The burden of performing minimal access surgery: ergonomics survey results from 462 surgeons across Germany, the UK and the USA. J Robot Surg 2022; 16:1347–1354.
    1. Boyle S, Fitzgerald C, Conlon BJ, Vijendren A. A national survey of workplace-related musculoskeletal disorder and ergonomic practices amongst Irish otolaryngologists. Ir J Med Sci 2022; 191:623–628.
    1. Sarwal G, Tobias G, Taylor DC, et al. Survey of Canadian vascular surgeons and trainees finds work-related musculoskeletal pain and discomfort is common. J Vasc Surg 2022; 75:1431–1436.
    1. Wee IJY, Kuo LJ, Ngu JC. A systematic review of the true benefit of robotic surgery: ergonomics. Int J Med Robot 2020; 16:e2113.
    1. Aldaheri AA, Aljuhani MM, Aldaheri RE. The prevalence and associated factors of lower back pain among surgeons in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia. J Family Med Prim Care 2023; 12:1308–1314.