Evidence-based intraoperative microbreak activities for reducing musculoskeletal injuries in the operating room

Abstract

Surgeons can perform the activities in approximately one minute inside the sterile field. Movements encompassing multiple requirements and engaging multiple body segments are combined to provide an efficient and effective intervention to the target tissues.

A Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Orthopaedic Surgeon: Identifying Injuries, Exacerbating Workplace Factors, and Treatment Patterns in the Orthopaedic Community

“…34 Although some efforts have been made to address these hazards, such as the introduction of microbreak activities and other ergonomic interventions, musculoskeletal injuries remain a notable problem for orthopaedic surgeons. 35,36 “Physical demands of the field” has been identified as a common deterrent to surgical specialization among medical students, and medical student interest in surgical fields markedly decreased after exposure to literature regarding the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions among surgeons. 37 These hazards may also disproportionally affect groups who face additional ergonomic challenges because Rohde et al 38 identified that a perceived requirement for physical strength may deter women from considering a career in orthopaedic surgery.…”

Clinical Issues—September 2022

“…Based on the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s recommendation for employees to take microbreaks during the day, 3 researchers recommend that surgeons performing minimally invasive procedures also take microbreaks 4 . During these microbreaks, the researchers suggest that the surgeon or surgical team members stand with their feet approximately shoulder‐width apart and, while keeping their hands in a waist‐level position that does not compromise sterility, slowly turn their heads to each side to stretch and relax their neck muscles.…”

“…During these microbreaks, the researchers suggest that the surgeon or surgical team members stand with their feet approximately shoulder‐width apart and, while keeping their hands in a waist‐level position that does not compromise sterility, slowly turn their heads to each side to stretch and relax their neck muscles. Because of the need to maintain sterility, OR staff members should avoid stretching upward during these microbreaks 4 . Further, the 2011 US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s fact sheet for laboratory workers provides guidance that could apply to surgical team members: “Employers should train workers to avoid static positions … change their position, and take short breaks every 20 minutes to rest muscles and increase blood circulation.” 3…”

Active and passive work breaks during simulated laparoscopy among laparoscopic surgeons: study protocol for a controlled, randomised cross-over laboratory trial

“…[27][28][29] For the current study, we wanted the exercises to be designed for target body regions within which surgeons regularly report perceived feelings of discomfort, fatigue or pain or even WRMSD and the exercises to focus on (1) posture correction, (2) normalisation of tissue tension and soft-tissue mobility or (3) relaxation. 30 We aimed to develop an active work break intervention, especially covering the first two aspects of Coleman Wood et al, 30 that is, posture correction and normalisation of tissue tension and mobility. Based on preliminary results of a survey study among laparoscopic surgeons, the main body regions for which discomfort or complaints were reported were the neck (67%), shoulders (65%) and lower back (64%).…”

“…26 28 Engelmann et al 26 investigated 5 min passive work breaks, whereas Dorion and Darveau, 28 Hallbeck, et al 29 and Park et al 27 investigated active work breaks containing stretching exercises for a 20 s 28 or 1.5 min 27 29 duration every 20-40 min working period. Two more recent studies focused on the development of either an optimised active work-break structure 30 or a web-based application that video guide the surgeon to perform some stretch work breaks. 31…”