Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T15:20:57.376Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in otorhinolaryngology and their relationship with physical activity. A nationwide survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2019

D Lobo ,
M A Gandarillas ,
S Sánchez-Gómez  and
R Megía
D Lobo*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Santander, Spain
M A Gandarillas
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Medicine, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
S Sánchez-Gómez
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain
R Megía
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Santander, Spain
*
Author for correspondence: Dr David Lobo, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Av. Valdecilla, Santander 39008, Spain E-mail: dlobo28@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery specialists and trainees in Spain, and to measure the effect that physical exercise could have on muscular discomfort.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was administered between September and December 2017 to practising otolaryngologists.

Results

Four hundred and three ENT surgeons responded, with a median age of 44.9 years, and 89.8 per cent reported discomfort or physical symptoms that they attributed to surgical practice. More female surgeons reported musculoskeletal symptoms (92.8 per cent vs 87.1 per cent; p = 0.04). When the level of physical activity was compared with the frequency of physical discomfort, no significant difference was found.

Conclusion

This study has shown a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among ENT surgeons in Spain but has failed to demonstrate an important role of physical exercise in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords

ErgonomicsOtolaryngologistsSurgeonsCumulative Trauma DisordersMusculoskeletal PainExercise
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 8 , August 2019 , pp. 713 - 718
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Dr D Lobo takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

1Dabholkar, T, Yardi, S, Dabholkar, YG, Velankar, HK, Ghuge, G. A survey of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among otolaryngologists. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017;69:230–8Google Scholar
2Cavanagh, J, Brake, M, Kearns, D, Hong, P. Work environment discomfort and injury: an ergonomic survey study of the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology members. Am J Otolaryngol 2012;33:441–6Google Scholar
3Vijendren, A, Yung, M, Sanchez, J, Duffield, K. Occupational musculoskeletal pain amongst ENT surgeons - are we looking at the tip of an iceberg? J Laryngol Otol 2016;130:490–6Google Scholar
4Little, RM, Deal, AM, Zanation, AM, McKinney, K, Senior, BA, Ebert, CS Jr. Occupational hazards of endoscopic surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2012;2:212–16Google Scholar
5Park, A, Lee, G, Seagull, FJ, Meenaghan, N, Dexter, D. Patients benefit while surgeons suffer: an impending epidemic. J Am Coll Surg 2010;210:306–13Google Scholar
6Mal, RK, Costello, CH. Is shoulder impingement syndrome a problem in otolaryngologists? Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci 2002;27:44–7Google Scholar
7Babar-Craig, H, Banfield, G, Knight, J. Prevalence of back and neck pain amongst ENT consultants: national survey. J Laryngol Otol 2003;117:979–82Google Scholar
8Wong, A, Baker, N, Smith, L, Rosen, CA. Prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal problems associated with microlaryngeal surgery: a national survey. Laryngoscope 2014;124:1854–61Google Scholar
9Amin, M, Rimmer, J, Swift, A, White, P, Lund, VJ. FESS, fingers and other things--you are not alone! Rhinology 2015;53:116–21Google Scholar
10Rimmer, J, Amin, M, Fokkens, WJ, Lund, VJ. Endoscopic sinus surgery and musculoskeletal symptoms. Rhinology 2016;54:105–10Google Scholar
11Bolduc-Bégin, J, Prince, F, Christopoulos, A, Ayad, T. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms amongst Otolaryngologists and Head and Neck surgeons in Canada. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018;275:261–7Google Scholar
12Ho, TT, Hamill, CS, Sykes, KJ, Kraft, SM. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among otolaryngologists by subspecialty: a national survey. Laryngoscope 2018;128:632–40Google Scholar
13Manchikanti, L, Singh, V, Datta, S, Cohen, SP, Hirsch, JA; American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Comprehensive review of epidemiology, scope, and impact of spinal pain. Pain Physician 2009;12:E35–70Google Scholar
14Wunderlich, M, Jacob, R, Stelzig, Y, Rüther, T, Leyk, D. Analysis of spinal stress during surgery in otolaryngology [in German]. HNO 2010;58:791–8Google Scholar
15Wong, K, Grundfast, KM, Levi, JR. Assessing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among otolaryngology residents. Am J Otolaryngol 2017;38:213–17Google Scholar
16Matern, U, Koneczny, S. Safety, hazards and ergonomics in the operating room. Surg Endosc 2007;21:1965–9Google Scholar
17Ramakrishnan, VR, Montero, PN. Ergonomic considerations in endoscopic sinus surgery: lessons learned from laparoscopic surgeons. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2013;27:245–50Google Scholar
18Statham, MM, Sukits, AL, Redfern, MS, Smith, LJ, Sok, JC, Rosen, CA. Ergonomic analysis of microlaryngoscopy. Laryngoscope 2010;120:297–305Google Scholar
19Schmitz, PM, Gollnick, I, Modemann, S, Rothe, A, Niegsch, R, Strauss, G. An improved instrument table for use in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Med Sci Monit Basic Res 2015;21:131–4Google Scholar
20Ayad, T, Péloquin, L, Prince, F. Ergonomics in endoscopic sinus surgery: systematic review of the literature. J Otolaryngol 2005;34:333–40Google Scholar