Music Improves Plastic Surgeons’ Technique and Efficiency While Closing Incisions, Study Suggests

Music Improves Plastic Surgeons’ Technique and Efficiency While Closing Incisions, Study Suggests

Article
Brain & Nerve
Surgical Procedures
+1
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBAAug 06, 2015
A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal concludes that plastic surgeons stitched faster and better while listening to their favorite music.

Music has long been associated with healing power and helps teenage patients manage the pain and suffering in cancer. It has been reported that classical music influences the human brain in a positive manner at the molecular level.  

It is no surprise, therefore, that surgeons like playing music in operating rooms. Music is reported to have a positive effect on the moods of other operating room staff as well. Although many studies have shown a favorable effect of music, evidence for any influence on a surgeon’s technical skills was lacking; the current study attempts to elucidate this.

The quality of stitching is crucial in plastic surgery. Additionally, plastic surgeons are known to play music the most during surgery. Therefore, plastic surgery residents were enrolled for the current study. The participants were expected to close a layered incision on pigs’ feet (wound closing). They were not informed of the purpose of the study. The residents performed the surgery and notified the researchers upon completion. They were then randomly assigned surgeries again either with or without music. While some participants performed surgery without music first and then with music, others did the surgeries with music first, followed by without music.

The researchers compared completion times and the quality of work, and assessed the effect of music on both. The results showed that:

  • On average, the wound repair surgery took 8% shorter time when the resident’s favorite music was playing during the procedure.
  • Senior residents showed significant improvement in their surgery completion times (10% less).
  • The quality of work, as assessed by plastic surgeons unaware of the experimental set-up, was better in residents who performed when music was playing.
  • Playing the music first or second did not matter; music did result in better and speedier performance in wound closing.

Dr. Lies, the lead author of the study, says in the University of Texas Medical Branch Newsroom report, “Spending less time in the operating room can translate into significant cost reductions, particularly when incision closure is a large portion of the procedure, such as in a tummy tuck. Longer duration under general anesthesia is also linked with increased risk of adverse events for the patient.”

Dr. Andrew Zhang, an assistant professor of surgery and a co-author in the publication adds, “Our study confirmed that listening to the surgeon's preferred music improves efficiency and quality of wound closure, which may translate to health care cost savings and better patient outcomes.”

By Mangala Sarkar, PhD

 

Primary References

Music to a patient's ears: When surgeons listen to their preferred music, their stitches are better and faster. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.utmb.edu/newsroom/article10587.aspx

Lies, S., & Zhang, A. (2015). Prospective Randomized Study of the Effect of Music on the Efficiency of Surgical Closures. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/asj/sju161

DoveMed Resources

Music Therapy May Help Teens with Cancer Manage. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.dovemed.com/music-therapy-may-help-teens-with-cancer-manage/

Good News For Music Lovers. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.dovemed.com/current-medical-news/good-news-music-lovers/

Additional References

(n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/26/music-for-surgery

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!