TY - JOUR
T1 - Growing pains
T2 - strategies for improving ergonomics in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
AU - Lin, Emily
AU - Young, Riley
AU - Shields, Jessica
AU - Smith, Katherine
AU - Chao, Lisa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/8/1
Y1 - 2023/8/1
N2 - Purpose of reviewTo evaluate factors contributing to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and review strategies for mitigating ergonomic strain in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.Recent findingsFactors associated with increased ergonomic strain and the development of WMSDs include increasing patient body mass index (BMI), smaller surgeon hand size, noninclusive design of instruments and energy devices and improper positioning of surgical equipment. Each type of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic, robotic, vaginal) confers its own ergonomic risk to the surgeon. Recommendations have been published regarding optimal ergonomic surgeon and equipment positioning. Intraoperative breaks and stretching are effective in reducing surgeon discomfort. Formal training in ergonomics has not yet been widely implemented, but educational interventions have been effective in reducing surgeon discomfort and can improve surgeon recognition of suboptimal ergonomics.SummaryConsidering the serious downstream effects of WMSDs on surgeons, it is imperative to implement strategies for WMSD prevention. Optimal positioning of the surgeons and operative equipment should be routine. Intraoperative breaks and stretching should be incorporated during procedures and between every case. Formal education in ergonomics should be provided to surgeons and trainees. Additionally, more inclusive instrument design by industry partners should be prioritized.
AB - Purpose of reviewTo evaluate factors contributing to the development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and review strategies for mitigating ergonomic strain in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.Recent findingsFactors associated with increased ergonomic strain and the development of WMSDs include increasing patient body mass index (BMI), smaller surgeon hand size, noninclusive design of instruments and energy devices and improper positioning of surgical equipment. Each type of minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic, robotic, vaginal) confers its own ergonomic risk to the surgeon. Recommendations have been published regarding optimal ergonomic surgeon and equipment positioning. Intraoperative breaks and stretching are effective in reducing surgeon discomfort. Formal training in ergonomics has not yet been widely implemented, but educational interventions have been effective in reducing surgeon discomfort and can improve surgeon recognition of suboptimal ergonomics.SummaryConsidering the serious downstream effects of WMSDs on surgeons, it is imperative to implement strategies for WMSD prevention. Optimal positioning of the surgeons and operative equipment should be routine. Intraoperative breaks and stretching should be incorporated during procedures and between every case. Formal education in ergonomics should be provided to surgeons and trainees. Additionally, more inclusive instrument design by industry partners should be prioritized.
KW - minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
KW - strain
KW - surgical ergonomics
KW - work-related musculoskeletal disorders
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85164231645&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000875
DO - 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000875
M3 - Review article
C2 - 37144567
AN - SCOPUS:85164231645
SN - 1040-872X
VL - 35
SP - 361
EP - 367
JO - Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
JF - Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
IS - 4
ER -