Are surgeon’s content with the current surgical headgear systems?

Abstract

Medical devices such as ‘surgical headgears’ are used by surgeons during certain micro-surgical applications requiring enhanced vision and magnification. The main aim of the study was to investigate the clinical usability of existing headgear, the prevalence of discomfort experienced by surgeons frequently using such devices and ascertain if the surgeons are content with the existing headgear systems. Online semi-structured questionnaires were sent to 200 surgical consultants hailing from six different sub-specialities currently practicing in various National Health Service (NHS) trusts in the UK. Data collected from the questionnaires were descriptively analysed. Vital issues pertaining to weight (36%), distraction (50%), pain and strain around the areas of head (56%), neck (26%), nose (28%), ears (16%), neck and back muscles (30%) were reported by the surgeons. In conclusion, 70% of surgeons are not content with the current headgear systems. Consequently, they foresee a need for an efficient and improved headgear system.

Keywords::

• Surgeon’s
• Headgear
• Ergonomics
• Usability
• Pain

Declaration of interest: There is no actual or potential conflict of interest including any financial, personal or other relationships with other people or organizations.