Musical Theatre
Dr Max toys with the possibilities presented by a soundtrack to surgery
When I was a junior doctor and worked in surgery, the consultant loved to tell us about a group of Swedish researchers who decided to look at variables that might improve outcomes in surgical patients. The story goes that, in true Scandinavian style, they decided to see if operating naked reduced the risk of wound infection. The rationale behind this was that friction from the surgical scrubs caused skin to be constantly shed during the operation and with it, bacteria. At this point the consultant would guffaw and tell us that indeed it had showed that the risk of infection was less in those patients who’d been operated on by naked teams. Thankfully the idea has never caught on, and if you’d seen some of the surgeons I’ve worked for you’d understand my relief.
But it’s not just what surgeons wear that might have an impact on patient outcomes. Researchers have found that the music that’s played in operating theatres isn’t just a way for the doctors and nurses to pass the time—it can actually have very positive benefits for the patients too. Apparently there’s good evidence for its benefits in patients having surgery under both local and general anaesthetic.
Incredibly, one study has shown that playing certain types of music that had a rhythm that mimicked the heartbeat was as effective as midazolam—a relaxant given to patients undergoing a variety of procedures such as colonoscopy. Studies have also shown that music can help reduce post-operative pain to the extent that patients need less analgesia as well as staff reporting that it helps improving communication and reducing anxiety and increases efficiency among those working.
The operating theatre is a strange
place, tightly governed by procedures, protocol and of course the rigid hierarchy that ensures that operations run smoothly. Amid all the rules and regulations though, I suppose the one thing that there is choice over is the type of music played, and tradition dictates that the most senior surgeon in the room gets to choose the tracks.
Although it tends to be classical music, it obviously opens up all sorts of possibilities of operation-appropriate songs that could be played. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees is one I hope surgeons consider, for example. Cat Steven’s “The First Cut Is The Deepest” is of course very apposite.
My mum is about to have her cataracts removed, so she should, I think, ask her surgeon to play “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash.
But some should perhaps be avoided, for the sake of the patient. I think I’d rather have that midazolam when undergoing a colonoscopy, than listen to “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, for example.
Equally, I doubt there are many men who’d like to drift off before their urological examination to Chuck Berry singing “My Ding-ALing”. I think I’ll stop now. ■
MUSIC PLAYED IN OPERATING THEATRES CAN HAVE VERY POSITIVE BENEFITS FOR THE PATIENTS