Improving the Mental Health of Surgical Teams Through Operating Room Design.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to develop and propose an evaluation method for analyzing the design of operating rooms (ORs) from the perspective of surgical teams' reported experiences and stress levels. BACKGROUND: Stress and burnout of surgical team members can lead to diminished performance and medical errors, which endangers the safety of both the patients and team members. The design and layout of the OR play a critical role in managing such stress. METHODS: To understand surgical teams' spatial needs related to their experiences and stress, we administered a survey and in-depth focus group discussions to three surgical teams from the same organization. The identified spatial needs were translated into functional scenarios and spatial metrics, essentially viewing the OR through the perspective of users. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed four integral sections-patient flow, room organization, access to facilities/medical equipment/support staff/team members, and staff well-being-identified as critical design factors associated with the experiences and stress levels of the surgical teams in the ORs. CONCLUSIONS: We expect this method to serve as a tool for evaluating the effect of the design of OR layouts on stress, thereby supporting the well-being and resiliency of surgical teams.

Childhood airway manifestations of lymphangioma: a case report.

Lymphangioma is a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system, often involving areas of the head and neck. The involved structures may include enlarged tongue and lips, swelling of the floor of the mouth, and direct involvement of the upper respiratory tract. The definitive treatment for lymphangioma is surgery, often during the first years of life. Despite surgical removal, lymphangioma may persist. Anesthetic concerns include bleeding, difficulty visualizing the airway, extrinsic and intrinsic pressure on the airway causing distortion, and enlarged upper respiratory structures, including the lips, tongue, and epiglottis. This is a case report of a 9-year-old patient with lymphangioma who had impacted teeth and a suspected odontogenic cyst. There seems to be little information on the optimal anesthetic management for this age group. The challenges with airway management, including bleeding, laryngospasm, and a difficult intubation, are outlined. Awareness of potential airway involvement and possible complications is necessary to provide a safe anesthetic to a patient with lymphangioma. A review of the literature, airway management techniques, and current airway equipment will be discussed.