Stress and Strain: Ergonomic Practices and Associated Injuries Among Pediatric Surgeons
Author Department
Surgery
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
4-2025
Abstract
Introduction: Ergonomic injuries pose significant risks to surgeons, affecting health, productivity, care access, and retirement age. Despite unique challenges in pediatric surgery, including varied patient sizes and operations, little is known about pediatric surgeons' ergonomics. This study aimed to assess ergonomic practices and associated injuries among pediatric surgeons.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to the American Pediatric Surgical Association regular members and fellows. Data collected included demographics, physical health, surgical practices, operating habits, discomfort, injuries, interventions, and outcomes. Associations with injury were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, Pearson's Chi-squared test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.
Results: One hundred seventeen (11%) surgeons responded, 53% were male with a median of 15 y in practice (interquartile range: 6-25). Regarding operating habits, 76% did not take regular breaks, 48% double-gloved, and 51% used loupes regularly. Notably, 90% experienced discomfort or pain, and 30% sustained injuries from operating, primarily affecting the neck and cervical spine (53%). White-identifying pediatric surgeons (80%) reported significantly more ergonomic injuries than other races (P < 0.01). Only 18% of respondents received ergonomic training. Ergonomics training and operating with a resident or co-surgeon were associated with less injury (P < 0.05). Among those experiencing discomfort or injury, 13% underwent a procedure, 63% experienced sleep disturbance, 74% reported contribution to burnout, and 88% used pain medications.
Conclusions: Ergonomic-related discomfort and injuries occurred in nearly 90% of pediatric surgeons who responded. Few had ergonomic training and most reported an impact on well-being. Modifiable ergonomic factors for pediatric surgeons, along with targeted interventions to reduce injuries, can improve surgeon well-being.
Keywords: Discomfort; Ergonomics; Injury; Occupational hazard; Pediatric surgery; Surgical education; Well-being.
Recommended Citation
Tan SF, Stellon M, Joshi D, Hellner J, Ignacio RC, Van Arendonk KJ, Rich BS, Raval MV, Perrone EE, Moriarty KP, Walsh DS, Fisher JC, Buchmiller TL, Gow KW, Le HD. Stress and Strain: Ergonomic Practices and Associated Injuries Among Pediatric Surgeons. J Surg Res. 2025 Apr 21;310:1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.03.037. Epub ahead of print.
PMID
40262229