Comfort measures
Posture is important, but there are technologies and products available
that are designed to make surgery more comfortable for surgeons.
• Comfortable headgear. The ergonomics expert who worked with
Dr. Lidsky noticed the loupes he used were antiquated and ill-fitting.
He wasn't aware newer, more comfortable models were available
until he tried on a new pair sized to his specifications. The new loupes
have a steeper declination angle — the angle at which the magnifier
comes off the glass — which saved about 17 degrees of neck flexion
to help keep it within the comfortable threshold of 25 degree or less.
Newer headlights are lightweight and balanced for added comfort, and
cordless battery-powered LED headlights let surgeons move around the
OR table freely and position themselves with comfort in mind.
• Foot protection. Dr. Lidsky says his lower back and legs benefit
from standing on anti-fatigue mats during surgery. And don't ignore
the benefits of a comfortable pair of shoes. Dr. Jarstad likes to slip on
athletic footwear that feature spring-loaded heels and stabilizing sup-
ports to relieve some pressure off his joints.
• Video upgrades. Three-dimensional, heads-up displays, which are
growing in popularity in ophthalmic ORs, eliminate the need for sur-
geons to view surgery through a microscope's oculars, freeing them up
to sit comfortably. "That's most likely the future of cataract surgery,"
says Dr. Jarstad, although he acknowledges the full transition will
require residency hospitals to adapt the technology so up and coming
surgeons can train with the technology before using it as they begin
their careers.
That doesn't mean experienced surgeons should shy away from tri-
aling the technology. "I've found it to be an easy transition," says Dr.
Jarstad.
• Improved instrumentation. Dr. Sutton points out that women sur-
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