Extended periods of immobile positions that neurosurgeons maintain during lengthy surgeries can result in fatigue and issues with the musculoskeletal system.
This is according to new research that used wearable tech to monitor their posture in the operating room.
Baylor College of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of Arizona, has published a new study in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, unveiling the potential of wearable technology to monitor and provide feedback on surgeons’ posture during lengthy procedures.
Led by Dr Alejandro Zulbaran-Rojas, the research aims to alleviate the strain associated with maintaining static positions during surgery.
The study evaluated the feasibility of using wearable sensors to assess the posture of neurosurgeons during spine and cranial procedures.
These sensors, attached to the back of the head and upper back, tracked the duration of extended, neutral, and flexed postures.
Ten neurosurgeons, comprising attendings and trainees, participated in the study, showing promising results.
The patients were equipped with two wearable sensors attached to the back of their heads and upper backs. The sensors collected the average time spent in extended, neutral, and flexed static postures during spine and cranial procedures.
The researchers successfully collected and analysed 16 of 20 possible recordings from 11 procedures (eight spine, three cranial).
Dr Zulbaran-Rojas highlighted the significance of the findings, noting that surgeons spend considerable time in static postures during procedures.
‘We found that surgeons remained in a static posture approximately 52.1% (38 minutes) and 53.2% (77.6 minutes) of active surgical time during spine and cranial procedures, respectively. This is a considerable amount of time given that the American College of Surgeons recommends avoiding prolonged static postures by taking mini-breaks at least every 30 minutes to incorporate range-of-motion stretches.’
This prolonged static positioning, often unavoidable during surgery, can lead to musculoskeletal issues if not managed properly.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of implementing protocols to correct posture and mitigate the risk of long-term injuries.
One notable discovery was the correlation between surgeon height and posture duration during cranial surgery.
Taller surgeons tended to spend more time in flexed and extended positions, emphasising the need for personalised interventions based on individual characteristics.
Corresponding author Dr Bijan Najafi discussed the potential impact of the research on surgical practice and training.
By leveraging wearable technology to monitor posture, surgeons can proactively prevent musculoskeletal disorders, thereby enhancing their wellbeing and performance.
Additionally, personalised training programmes derived from wearable data could revolutionise surgical education, equipping novice surgeons with optimal postural habits from the outset of their careers.
The study’s implications extend beyond neurosurgery, with potential applications in other specialties.
Further research is warranted to explore the full scope of wearable technology’s enhancement of surgeon ergonomics and overall health.
