A survey of static and dynamic work postures of operating room staff

Abstract

Work in health care units is associated with considerable physical strain and many musculoskeletal complaints. Most investigations have concentrated on the work of general hospital nurses; little is known about the physical stress load on other health care workers. We therefore carried out an ergonomic study amongst operating room staff in order to (i) determine the work (posture) stress load on this particular group of health care workers and the effect of static posture on this stress, (ii) identify activities involving poor work postures, and (iii) determine differences between specialties in regard to work posture stress load. The work postures and related work activities of four different groups of staff in operating rooms (surgeons, assistant anaesthesists, instrumentation nurses and circulating nurses) were recorded and evaluated using the specified Ovako Working posture Analysing System (OWAS). Observation during the course of 18 daily surgical programmes (total number of observations: 3714) in the specialties general surgery and ear-nose-throat (ENT) surgery revealed that the work-load according to OWAS for circulating nurses and assistant anaesthesists was not harmful. Some work postures seen among instrumentation nurses and surgeons, however, need improvement. The work posture stress load in these groups is mainly due to the high prevalence of static work postures during the activities "surgery" (surgeons) and "assisting surgery" (instrumentation nurses). Significant differences in ergonomic stress load were observed between general surgeons and ENT surgeons. This survey in operating theatres relates work postures to basic activities and can be used as a starting point from which to improve work conditions in order to reduce or eliminate physical complaints among operating room staff.

The effect of kinesiotape application on functional performance in surgeons who have musculo-skeletal pain after performing surgery

“…Kant et al conducted a study and reported that surgeons performed repeated static postures with forward bending of the head and twisting of the back. These positions were described as ''distinctly harmful'' by the subjects (13).…”

Spine surgeon’s kinematics during discectomy according to operating table height and the methods to visualize the surgical field

“…In contrast to open surgery, during laparoscopic surgery surgeons usually use much longer instruments [7,8] and tend to complain of musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue of the lower back, neck, and shoulder because of the maintenance of a prolonged static posture and continuous isometric muscle contraction, which reduce muscle perfusion and cause muscle fatigue and pain [1,9,10]. Many studies have been conducted on the ergonomics of laparoscopic surgery, and the subject of ergonomics has been considered by surgeons in many fields [2,3,5,[11][12][13][14].…”

“…Many studies have been conducted on the ergonomics of laparoscopic surgery, and the subject of ergonomics has been considered by surgeons in many fields [2,3,5,[11][12][13][14]. Previous studies have usually focused on leg fatigue, a large working area, extreme movements of the upper limbs and wrists, and stiffness of the neck [1,2,10,15]. However, no study has been conducted on surgeon's spine or head motion, although they are importantly associated with surgeons' complaints of musculoskeletal discomfort and fatigue of the lower back, neck, and shoulder [1,6].…”

Laparaskopik Cerrahi Ve Ergonomi

“…Bu tarz kısıtlamalar cerrahın özgürlüğünde azalma ve operasyon esnasında daha dikkatli ve konsantre olması nedeniyle statik duruşa neden olmaktadır. Bu statik duruş kas ve tendonlarda laktik asit ve toksinler birikmekte bu nedenle ağrı ve yorgunluğa yol açmaktadır (12)(13)(14). Avrupa ve Amerika'da yapılan çalışmalarda statik duruşun laparaskopik cerrahlar üzerinde %8-12 servikal ve üst ekstremite ağrısı, %9-18 arasında ise kas spazmlarına yol açtığı gösterilmiştir (11).…”