This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Q-optics. You can learn about them, the special rates they are offering for podcast listerners and schedule a demo via : https://q-optics.com/pages/surgicalergonomics-drlal

Disclosure:

Q-optics is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. It also provides you with a discount and a giveaway to listeners of the podcast, so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Philip Haigh is an endocrine and oncologic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center (KP-LAMC), and a Clinical professor at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine. He is a regional resource within the Southern California Permanente Medical Group for treating patients with complicated thyroid, parathyroid disease, and sarcoma. His research interests are focused on population studies on primary hyperparathyroidism and thyroid disease, and more recently in surgical ergonomics, particularly MSK pain in surgeons. He was a founding member and the first treasurer, and is currently the president of the Society of Surgical Ergonomics.

In this episode, Dr. Haigh:

- Shares his story of experiencing work-related neck pain, which eventually led to his interest in the field of surgical ergonomics and his role as a founding member and inaugural treasurer of the Society of Surgical Ergonomics (SSE)

- Discusses how he was inspired to change his workflow around neck surgery by using the operating microscope for thyroid surgery (based on one paper that mentioned a potential ergonomic benefit)

- Describes his reasons for continuing to use the operating microscope for thyroid surgery i.e. superior lighting and magnification (obviating the the need for a headlight and loupes respectively). His experience with this technique and findings are summarized in this paper published in the American Journal of Surgery

- Stresses the importance of microbreaks and stretches as interventions to improve surgical ergonomics and shares his experience implementing them at his institution

- Emphasizes his experience on operating with another surgeon for long and complex cases to reduce both the physical and cognitive load and hence, working "smarter"

- Shares his vision for his role as the next President of the SSE

You can reach Dr. Haigh on X and LinkedIn

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This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Smart Step Surgical LLC. You can learn about them and schedule a demo via https://www.smartstepsurgical.com/blogs/news/surgical-ergonomic-podcast-promotional-discount

Disclosure:

Smart Step Surgical is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. They also provide our podcast listeners with a discount (20%), so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Kimberly Kho is currently a Professor, inaugural Chief of
Advanced Gynecology and MIGS and Associate Chair of Faculty Development in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. Most recently, she was a Professor, the Associate Chief of Gynecology, and the Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
In addition to patient care, Dr. Kho has been a National Institutes of
Health-supported clinical scholar with a focus on evaluating surgical techniques and technologies for the treatment of fibroids, adenomyosis and endometriosis, and more recently on surgical ergonomics. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for AAGL.

In this episode (recorded prior to her move) Dr. Kho:

- Shares how she first became aware of body mechanics in her intern year while performing an elective C-section with her attending and how her MSK pain was exacerbated in fellowship

- Describes how she felt that she could not disclose or discuss her injuries as a new attending trying to establish a practice

- Discusses why high-achieving surgeons and proceduralists experience shame, guilt and pressure to perform, thus not seeking help until their bodies force them

- Shares results of a recent study showing that 95.7% of gynecologic surgeons have pain during or after performing surgery. In addition, nearly 24% reported changing the surgical modality they offered patients based on their symptoms, and 62.5% were concerned about their ability to operate in the future

- Emphasizes that although she still uses conventional laparoscopy, she has switched to doing more robot-assisted surgery for improved ergonomics

- Expands on her ergonomics non-negotiables for the OR - Correct set-ups for both laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery, anti-fatigue mats, proper footwear and intra-operative breaks and stretches

- Encourages us all to work to improve OR culture for all personnel including nurses and scrub techs

Dr. Kho can be reached on LinkedIn and Instagram

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Q-optics. You can learn about them and schedule a demo via : https://q-optics.com/pages/surgicalergonomics-drlal

Disclosure:

Q-optics is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. It also provides you with a discount and a giveaway to listeners of the podcast, so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Amanda Laird is a fellowship-trained endocrine surgeon Dr. Laird is a fellowship trained endocrine surgeon and Chief of the Section of Endocrine Surgery at Rutgers Cancer Institute. She treats neuroendocrine and endocrine tumors of the thyroid, parathyroid glands, and adrenal glands, and has obtained a Designation of Focused Practice in Adult Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery from the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Laird serves on several committees for both the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons and the Association of Academic Surgery. Her clinical research has yielded peer-reviewed publications, reviews, book chapters, and both national and international presentations.

In this episode, Dr. Laird:

- Provides how the spectrum of MSK injuries varies, depending upon specialty and the types of cases one does

- Discusses that endocrine surgeons have a high rate of MSK symptoms (90% in a survey study Am J Surg 2022 Jul;224(1 Pt B):315-318).

- Shares that she has had multiple MSK injuries (some needing surgery) throughout her training and career, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Type 3

- Reflects on how the expectations placed on providers and the culture of surgery makes it harder for individuals to seek help for their MSK symptoms

- Described some of the lessons she has learned during her ergonomics journey, including how she has modified her endocrine practice to reduce the strain on her body (e.g. operating from the same side of the table as the pathology during thyroidectomy, taking breaks)

You can reach Dr. Laird on LinkedIn here.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Q-optics. You can learn about them and schedule a demo via : https://q-optics.com/pages/surgicalergonomics-drlal

Disclosure:

Q-optics is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. It also provides you with a discount and a giveaway to listeners of the podcast, so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Jeremy Greenlee is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at the University of Iowa specializing in adult and pediatric neurosurgery. He is the Dr. Arnold H. Menezes Chair in Neurosurgery and Vice-chair in the Department. His research interests include neurophysiology of the frontal lobe, endoscopic and minimally invasive neurosurgery and the treatment of pituitary tumors and movement disorders.

In this episode, Dr. Greenlee:

- Shares how traditional loupes, although great for visualization, can lead to cervical spine issues due to their weight and fixed (declination) angles

- Describes why he gravitated towards using the operating microscope for his cases and how this may help remove some of the ergonomic issues related to using loupes and headlights

- Emphasizes that the microscope is not a panacea and it is important to pay attention to how you set up the microscope, keep the arms at the correct height and use arm rests as needed

- Discusses how newer loupes with steep angles of declination (including deflection loupes) can be helpful to maintain neutral neck posture in some situations, depending on the depth of the field one is working in

- Advises using breaks for improving both physical and cognitive ergonomics

- Suggests trying out exoscopes instead of using the operating microscopes, especially when working in small fields

- Advises attention to spine health via stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce the risk of degenerative spine issues

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by PearsonRavitz Insurance. You can learn about them and schedule a consultation on my website at: https://pearsonravitz.com/surgicalergonomics/

Disclosure:

PearsonRavitz is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you.

Episode details:

Barbara Van Gorp is a clinical specialist with Iowa Orthopedics, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation within University of Iowa Health Care. She received both her MTP and tDPT from Concordia University Wisconsin. She has nearly 25 years of clinical experience. In addition, Barbara performs research on the management of chronic spine and tendinopathy pain. She has presented her work at numerous state, national and international conferences. In her free time, Barbara enjoys painting nature and outdoor scenes, bike riding, hiking, gardening and cooking for her family and friends.

In this episode Dr. Van Gorp:

- Shares how she became interested in treating healthcare workers for MSK symptoms

- Describes how sustained forward head posture (in and out of the OR)can head to imbalances which manifest as Upper Cross Syndrome

- Explains how physical therapy can help with alleviating work-related MSK symptoms via pain relief, postural dynamics via stretching/strenghtening and assessing the mind-body connection

- Discusses how one doesn't need multiple PT appointments a week to get a treatment plan in place

- Shares her top high-yield exercises for proceduralists and trainees to address forward head posture

You can reach Barbara here: https://uihc.org/providers/barbara-van-gorp

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

his episode of the podcast is sponsored by Q-optics. You can learn about them and schedule a demo via : https://q-optics.com/pages/surgicalergonomics-drlal

Disclosure:

Q-optics is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. It also provides you with a discount and a giveaway to listeners of the podcast, so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Thomas Varghese Jr. is the Chief, Section of General Thoracic Surgery at the University of Utah; Chief Value Officer (Ambulatory and Inpatient) at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI); Associate Chief Medical Quality Officer at Huntsman Cancer Hospital; and a Professor (Tenure-track) in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Tom is a health services researcher whose clinical, research and operational experience span the fields of innovation science and implementation science. He helped create the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Strong for Surgery program and is a co-PI on the National Cancer Institute RO1-funded clinical trial on the role of Precision Exercise Prescription (PEP) for elective lung cancer surgical resection .

Dr. Varghese has served in several leadership positions in various organizations and is the immediate Past President of SUS (presidential term 2024-2025), and is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS)

In this episode, Dr. Varghese:

- Shares his journey with musculoskeletal symptoms, which developed on a background of childhood hip dysplasia

- Discusses the culture of surgery as a huge barrier to surgeons and procedualists getting the help that they need when they initially develop symptoms

- Emphasizes the high rate of musculoskeletal symptoms ("not if, but when") in cardiothoracic surgeons and the risk factors for their development as described in this paper https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(23)00749-3/abstract

- Shares his best practices for improved ergonomic health inside and outside the OR

Dr. Varghese can be reached via his social media handles and website:

X: @tomvarghesejr

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tomvarghesejr

University of Utah Academic Website: https://healthcare.utah.edu/fad/mddetail.php?physicianID=u6001828

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by PearsonRavitz Insurance. You can learn about them and schedule a consultation on my website at: https://pearsonravitz.com/surgicalergonomics/

Disclosure:

PearsonRavitz is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you.

Episode details:

Dr. Corwin is a Clinical Associate Professor on the faculty of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. As both a surgeon and occupational / environmental medicine physician, she has broad clinical experience that informs her public health practice. She currently serves as Associate Director of Employee Health for the University of Iowa. In this role she engages her expertise in, collaborative work related to the health and safety of healthcare system workershazard recognition, evaluation, control, and policy development.

In this episode Dr. Corwin:

- Shares her journey from training in General and Transplant surgery and then switching career paths by pursuing her Masters in Public Health and training in occupational medicine

- Describes that surgeons, other proceduralists and OR personnel have a high rate of work-related MSK injuries, on par with prevalence rates in construction workers

- Defines work-related injury per OSHA's description and the conditions that need to be met for a worker's symptoms to be considered work-related (i.e. temporality and plausibility)

- Elaborates on the difficulties of instituting work restrictions for surgeons and proceduralists, both due to individual and system-related issues (lack of infrastructure). This is in contrast to the situation among departments of nursing.

- Clarifies the differences between impairment (loss of structure and/or function which is very algorithmic per AMA guidelines) and disability (inability to perform duties of the job)

- Shares her advice for early career surgeons/proceduralists i.e. urges them to get evaluated early by physical therapists familiar with the OR work environment and learn preventive strategies, not to ignore their symptoms and to share them with trusted colleagues and get the help they need

You can reach Dr. Corwin via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ccorwin31/

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Q-optics. You can learn about them and schedule a demo via : https://q-optics.com/pages/surgicalergonomics-drlal

Disclosure:

Q-optics is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. It also provides you with a discount and a giveaway to listeners of the podcast, so we hope that it is a win-win!

Episode details:

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Yadav is a Breast, Thyroid, and Endocrine surgeon at NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur. A pioneer in low-cost innovations for breast cancer and endocrine surgery, he has led work to make advanced surgical care accessible in underserved regions. An international awardee and educator, he is deeply committed to research, mentorship, and health equity.

In this episode, Dr. Yadav:

- Shares that he became interested in ergonomics during fellowship training when he started developing neck pain and stumbled upon the Surgical Ergonomics Interest group

- Discusses the results of his study of the prevalence of work-related MSK symptoms among surgeons and trainees in India which showed that > 70% of them had symptoms from operating. Learn more here at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37308348/

- Describes how a single webinar sharing ergonomic best practices improved awareness and implementation of basic best practices up to 6 months afterwards

- Shares how implementing breaks (and stretches) has been a crucial and easy to implement strategy for the physicians and nursing staff which allows one to circumvent intrument and OR set up issues. You can implement this strategy is to use the OR stretch app available for free here: https://orstretch.mayoclinic.org/ or using resources by the Society of Surgical Ergonomics: https://www.societyofsurgicalergonomics.org/education

- Describes that the major challenges to implementing best practices are primarily financial, even for low-cost interventions such as anti-fatigue mats (which they purchased themselves)

- Shares that there is growing momentum in spreading awareness about surgical ergonomics within various conferences in India and efforts are being made to incorporate ergonomics into surgical training programs

You can reach Dr. Yadav via the following social media platforms:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjay-yadav-ms-mch-facs-36268282/?originalSubdomain=in

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yadav_sanjaykumar/

X: https://x.com/drskyind

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Facebook and please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the show