Patients benefit while surgeons suffer: an impending epidemic

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Occupational Health
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• The physical strain of laparoscopy on surgeons is often assumed but not well-documented.
• Previous studies reported lower incidence rates of occupational injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and predictors of physical symptoms in laparoscopic surgeons.
• To examine the association of demographics, ergonomics, and equipment with surgeon discomfort.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive online survey was administered to 317 surgeons performing laparoscopic procedures.
• Data analysis utilized chi-square to identify correlations between variables and reported symptoms.

Main Results:

• 86.9% of surveyed surgeons reported physical symptoms or discomfort.
• High case volume was the strongest predictor of symptoms; neck, hand, and lower extremity symptoms correlated with fellowship training.
• Symptoms were minimally related to age, height, or practice length; awareness of ergonomic guidelines was low.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of occupational injury in minimally invasive surgery is significantly higher than previously reported.
• High case load is the primary driver of these symptoms, necessitating ergonomic and technological interface improvements.
• Urgent action is needed to mitigate this epidemic of surgeon injury as procedures become more common.