title: What about the surgeon?
abstract: The safety of the patient and its importance in a surgical setting is well recognised. However, in the literature far less emphasis is placed upon the safety of the surgeon and his/her team. This review discusses the risks to which a surgeon is exposed, including blood-borne pathogens, radiation exposure, biomechanical stresses and fatigue, and the adverse effects of diathermy fumes. Strategies addressing these risks are presented and recommendations to improve surgical team safety are offered.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College London School of Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khajuria
authors.forename: Mahiben
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maruthappu
authors.forename: Myura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagendran
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shalhoub
mesh_terms: D013502:General Surgery / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012306:Risk; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*