Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Anatomical Positions

Anatomical Positions

In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management

Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned...

Tracheostomy Suctioning I: Pre-Procedural Steps

Tracheostomy Suctioning I: Pre-Procedural Steps

Tracheostomy suctioning is a critical procedure healthcare professionals perform to maintain a patent airway in patients with a tracheostomy tube. This procedure is necessary when secretions accumulate in the airway, causing respiratory distress. Here is a step-wise procedural guide for performing tracheostomy suctioning using an open system.
Equipment Required
First, gather all necessary equipment: a sterile suction catheter, a sterile disposable container, sterile gloves, a towel or...

Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway

Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway

In preparing for oropharyngeal airway suctioning, a nurse must gather all necessary equipment, including a suction unit with tubing, a prepackaged suction kit, sterile gloves, water or saline for irrigation, a water-soluble lubricant, and additional personal protective equipment (such as a gown, mask, and goggles) to control infections.
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques

Airway management is essential in emergency and surgical medicine, ensuring ventilation and oxygenation in patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Clinicians use a range of techniques and devices to secure the airway, depending on the patient’s condition and the clinical context. Key methods include endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), supraglottic airway devices, and advanced visualization aids. In cases where these approaches fail, surgical airway...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Management of Absent Upper Esophageal Sphincter Opening After Neurological Injury.

The Laryngoscope·2026

Same author

Should a Drain Be Routinely Placed After Type I Medialization Thyroplasty?

The Laryngoscope·2026

Same author

Should Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block Be Performed for Neurogenic Cough?

The Laryngoscope·2026

Same author

Physiological Correlates of the Spectral Aggregate of the High-Passed Fundamental Frequency in Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia.

Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR·2026

Same author

Automated Creak Identifies Laryngeal Dystonia During Conversational Speech.

The Laryngoscope·2025

Same author

Outpatient Nebulized Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone After Endoscopic Airway Surgery in Adults: Tolerability, Safety, and Adherence.

OTO open·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Awake Nasotracheal Intubation with Flexible Video Rhino-Laryngoscopes

Author Spotlight: Advancing Awake Nasotracheal Intubation with Flexible Video Rhino-Laryngoscopes

Published on: August 2, 2024

Surgeon Positioning During Awake Laryngeal Surgery: An Ergonomic Analysis.

Brandon J Baird^1,2, Monica A Tynan¹, Lauren F Tracy^1,3

¹Department of Surgery, Center for Laryngeal Surgery and Voice Rehabilitation, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

The Laryngoscope

|July 23, 2021

Summary

Surgeon posture significantly impacts ergonomic risk during laryngoscopy. Optimizing body positioning can reduce musculoskeletal strain and improve safety for awake laryngeal surgeries (ALSs).

Keywords:

Electromyography awake laryngeal surgery ergonomics surgical ergonomics

More Related Videos

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory

Published on: March 18, 2020

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Published on: December 1, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 27, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Awake Nasotracheal Intubation with Flexible Video Rhino-Laryngoscopes

Author Spotlight: Advancing Awake Nasotracheal Intubation with Flexible Video Rhino-Laryngoscopes

Published on: August 2, 2024

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory

Published on: March 18, 2020

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing

Published on: December 1, 2023

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Ergonomics
Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

Otolaryngologists performing microlaryngeal surgery risk musculoskeletal symptoms from poor posture.
Flexible laryngoscopy and awake laryngeal surgeries (ALSs) also present ergonomic challenges.
Understanding posture's impact is crucial for surgeon well-being and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantitatively assess the ergonomic risks associated with different surgeon postures during laryngoscopy.
To compare muscle activity and self-reported pain between ergonomically good and bad positions.
To identify optimal body positioning for performing awake laryngeal surgeries (ALSs).

Main Methods:

Prospective study involving eight participants simulating laryngoscopy in 12 distinct positions.
Ergonomic analysis using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool.
Skin-surface electromyography (EMG) to measure muscle activity during simulated ALS in good and bad postures.

Main Results:

The worst RULA score (7.0) was observed in the side/near/high position; the best (4.5) was in the front/near/neutral position.
Simulated surgery in a bad posture resulted in 206% greater EMG activity compared to a good posture.
Increased muscle activity in poor positions correlated with higher self-reported fatigue and pain.

Conclusions:

Surgeon posture during laryngoscopy has a significant impact on ergonomic risk.
Quantitative and qualitative data support the identification of ergonomically beneficial postures.
Adopting recommended postures can help mitigate musculoskeletal strain during awake laryngeal surgeries (ALSs).