Human factors in pelvic surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Safety
• Human Factors Engineering
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Pelvic surgery is complex, with anatomical challenges impacting visualization and access.
• Surgeons face high risks of work-related musculoskeletal injuries due to poor ergonomic design in the surgical environment.
• These injuries can negatively affect surgical practice, patient outcomes, and lead to premature career termination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the application of human factors principles in addressing challenges in pelvic surgery.
• To investigate how understanding the interplay between surgeon, instruments, and environment can improve surgical outcomes.
• To identify strategies for mitigating surgeon injury risks and enhancing patient safety during pelvic procedures.

Main Methods:

• Review of human factors principles, integrating physiology, psychology, and ergonomics.
• Analysis of how different operative approaches (open, laparoscopic, robotic, perineal) influence human factors.
• Examination of ergonomic improvements and non-technical skills (standardization, checklists, resiliency) in surgical settings.

Main Results:

• Human factors provide a framework for understanding surgical difficulties and surgeon strain in pelvic operations.
• Ergonomic interventions can significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for surgeons.
• Implementation of standardized procedures, checklists, and resiliency programs positively impacts patient safety.

Conclusions:

• Applying human factors and ergonomic principles is crucial for improving surgeon well-being and patient safety in pelvic surgery.
• Optimizing the surgical environment and adopting best practices can mitigate risks associated with complex procedures.
• A multidisciplinary approach considering the surgeon, technology, and workflow is essential for advancing surgical care.