Novel Tool Examines Surgeons Operating Posture

A new study describes how a computerized observational tool can identify surgeon’s postural loading during surgery, helping to reduce and correct awkward positions.

Developed by researchers at the University at Buffalo, Oregon State University, and other institutions, the ergonomics postural assessment in real-time (ErgoPART) study used four observers--two ergonomics researchers, a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellow, and a pre-medical undergraduate-- in order to a construct a computer-based tool that could characterize environmental, task, and postural variables during surgical work.

The observers entered their data into a software program that records information about the surgery, task information, the surgeon's position with respect to the surgical field, operating room (OR) features, and tracking data of broad categories of neck, trunk, and shoulder positions adopted by the surgeon during the procedure. The computer interface also provides visual feedback on the status of postural codes in the form of a virtual mannequin and dynamic color-coded buttons, in order to reduce coding misclassification during observation.

Quantitative information about the frequency and duration of non-neutral body posture categories for the entire surgery, and for specific surgical tasks, is available immediately after the observations are completed via Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. The results, which account for inter-observer reliability, indicated that the tool may provide a reliable assessment of the duration and frequency of surgeons' non-neutral postures during vaginal surgeries. The study was published in the January 2017 issue of IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors.

“With this tool, surgeons, as well as occupational and health safety workers, will have immediate access to a report on when and how long they remain in non-neutral positions during surgery,” said lead author Xinhui Zhu, PhD, an assistant professor of industrial engineering at OSU. “This information can be used to help individual surgeons, as well as to develop recommendations on how surgeries can be improved for the doctor and patient.”

Ergonomics--from the Greek word ergon meaning work, and nomoi meaning natural laws--applies anatomical, physiological, and psychological knowledge (known as human factors) to work and work environments in order to reduce or eliminate factors that can cause musculoskeletal disorders and repetitive strain injuries. Human characteristics, such as height, weight, and proportions are considered, as well as information about human hearing, sight, temperature preferences, and so on.