A survey of work-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with performing laparoscopic veterinary surgery

To assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) associated with laparoscopy in veterinary surgery.

Cross-sectional survey.

Veterinary surgeons who perform laparoscopy.

Responses were collected with data regarding laparoscopic activities and experience as well as whether the respondents experienced pain as a result of laparoscopy and, if so, additional information on this topic. Variables associated with the risk of experiencing pain were determined by using χ² tests and odds ratios (OR).

There were 149 respondents, an estimated 6% response proportion. Forty percent experienced pain that they attributed to the use of laparoscopic instruments during or after laparoscopic surgery. Surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery frequently (at least monthly) were more likely to experience pain as a result of laparoscopic surgery compared with those who perform laparoscopic surgery infrequently (OR 2.25; 95% confidence interval 1.07-4.75; P = .033). Pain during or after laparoscopic surgery was most often experienced in the neck (81%), back (77%), and shoulders (75%), with 90% of respondents reporting that surgery exacerbated their pain. Fifty-four percent of respondents experienced the pain at home, 64% had taken painkillers for the pain, and 46% had sought other treatment for the pain such as physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, or seeing a doctor.

Laparoscopic surgery was a potential source of pain in a proportion of surgeons. Surgeons who frequently perform laparoscopic surgery were more likely to experience a WRMD.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders may occur as a result of performing laparoscopic surgery.