Surgeons are at increased risk of developing musculoskeletal (MSK) pain due to prolonged postures during operations. This can impact the length of one’s career, burnout, and reduce work satisfaction. Therefore, maintaining proper posture is important for minimizing MSK strain and supporting long-term postural health. Within this study, 55.6% of the 18 participating surgeons reported experiencing musculoskeletal pain within the last 4 weeks, highlighting the need for ergonomic interventions in the operating room. The study aims to analyze the surgical factors that can cause poorer posture, such as sitting, using loupes, using a step stool, surgical modality, duration, gender, training level, and height.

The Upright GO Posture Device was used to measure the proportion of time the surgeons were upright during operations. In phase 1, the device was utilized on tracking mode and without biofeedback. The findings from the data showed that posture alignment depended on sitting versus standing (p=0.024), using a step stool or not (p=0.044), whether the type of surgery was lap/endo/robotic, microscopic, open, or multiple types of surgery (p<0.001), training level (attending or trainee, p<0.001), and surgeon height (<67 inches, 67-69 inches, or >69 inches, p<0.001). Loupes, procedure duration, and gender were not significantly associated with upright posture.

In conclusion, further interventions like ergonomic education and posture training may help reduce MSK pain and improve posture in surgeons. Further phases of the study will include phase 2, which incorporates biofeedback to signal to surgeons while operating if they deviate from their upright position, concluded by phase 3, which will be the retention phase with no biofeedback.