Effect of music on OR performance

Editor's Note

When surgeons listen to their preferred music, they’re more efficient at closing incisions, and their technique improves, this study finds.

Researchers asked 15 plastic surgery residents at the University of Texas to perform layered closures on pigs’ feet. Half the resident worked in a silent OR and half listened to music of their choice, and then the groups switched.

All residents listening to music completed the closure 8% faster, and the quality of repair was better (3.3 vs 3.1). Subgroup analysis found that music made an even bigger difference for senior residents, resulting in a 10% decrease in repair time.