A Survey of Occupational Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Canadian Plastic Surgeons and Trainees

Purpose: Despite the advances of modern operating rooms, surgeons often experience work environments that rival those of industrial workers with regard to the risk of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries or disorders. Such injuries may result in loss of hours, decreased surgical volume, or premature retirement. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and impact of MSK injuries among Canadian plastic surgeons and trainees. Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was disseminated among Canadian plastic surgeons, defined as those registered as members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or Plastic Surgery Residents. Results: This survey was disseminated to 604 Canadian plastic surgeons, fellows, and residents, of whom 139 responded (response rate 23.0%). Of the responders, 49.6% were male, 23.0% were >35 years of age, and 46.1% had been in practice for >10 years. The majority (72.7%) of respondents endorsed experiencing MSK symptoms after operating. Moreover, 18.7% of respondents felt their MSK symptoms had direct consequences on their performance as a surgeon. When MSK symptoms were reported to department heads, system change was only seen 44.4% of the time. Unsurprisingly, neck (76.2%), back (72.2%), and shoulders (48.5%) were the areas of pain most reported. Exercise was not shown to significantly reduce the impact of MSK symptoms resulting from operating (P  =  .06). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among plastic surgeons and directly impact the performance of a large proportion of surgeons. Besides traditional efforts to reinforce good posture while operating, best practice policies and operating room optimization with regard to ergonomics are warranted.