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S U R G E O N
E R G O N O M I C S
PHYSICAL PHYSICIANS
Why Does Lap Surgery Hurt So Much?
PAINFUL MOVEMENTS Laparoscopic surgeons applyconstant pressure and torque to instruments.
During open procedures, surgeons have direct vision of the operative site, direct contact with and manipulation of anatomy, and simple and efficient instruments to perform well-established techniques. They can tire from standing and bending and twisting, and opening and closing the
surgical site can be laborious, but the physical strain is manageable.
During laparoscopic procedures, surgeons work upright and have magnified views of the surgical site, but must also indirectly manipulate anatomy with long and inefficient instruments, which causes increased mental and physical workloads, decreased performance and potentially more errors.
My research revealed most laparoscopic surgeons have had physical discomfort or symptoms directly attributable to performing minimally invasive surgery, primarily, they claimed, because of high caseloads. Most said they tried to minimize the symptoms by changing positions during surgery, but many also said they chose to ignore the pain. None converted to an open case because of the discomfort they felt.
The human side of the issue is not represented in the numbers and published studies, however. Locker room talk I've heard indicates that many of my colleagues are hurting, and some have undergone carpal tunnel surgery so they can continue to operate.
— Ramon Berguer, MD, FACS
