Ergonomics in laryngoesophagology

Abstract

Laryngeal procedures, in the current day, generally take the form of awake or sedated endoscopic procedures such as vocal fold augmentation, open laryngeal procedures such as thyroplasty, and microlaryngeal surgeries under general anesthesia. Chair height, distance of the surgeon from the patient, torso rotation, and positioning of the video screen are critical ergonomic considerations of awake endoscopic laryngeal procedures. Operating table height, cervical flexion angle, and the loupe declination angle are important ergonomic considerations during open laryngeal surgery, and bed height, arm support, surgeon torso length, hip flexion angle, and cervical flexion angle are key aspects of ergonomics in microlaryngeal surgery. This review should provide a framework for examining one’s own ergonomic positioning and environment when performing a range of laryngeal surgeries.