Work-related musculoskeletal disorders when performing laparoscopic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to survey the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders in the population of gynecologists and general surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to 558 general surgeons and gynecologists and 378 were answered (68%). Descriptive data analysis and statistical calculations were performed.


RESULTS
One or more disturbing symptoms were common among laparoscopists. More than 70% of the laparoscopists had one or more symptom. Pain was the most common symptom followed by fatigue and stiffness. Lower back, neck, and shoulders were most frequently affected. Headache and visual discomfort were also reported. Longer workload over time and ageing resulted in significantly more disorders (P<0.01). Female physicians had significantly more disorders (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed musculoskeletal disorders in a majority of laparoscopists. The laparoscopic technique often requires static and tiring work positions, sometimes extreme, which can explain musculoskeletal disorders among general surgeons and gynecologist.
Stomberg
Margareta Warrén
MW
University of Skövde, School of Life sciences, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skaraborgs Hospital in Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
Tronstad
Svein-Erik
SE
Hedberg
Karin
K
Bengtsson
Jan
J
Jonsson
Peter
P
Johansen
Lars
L
Lindvall
Birgitta
B
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology