Stress during surgery

[bachophile]

so…it seems if you are more stressed at the beginning of an operation your results are better.

Interestingly with age, I’m much more stressed than as a youngster. Because I know all too well what happens when things go south.
I think it’s like driving. Young drivers (not right when getting their drivers license but after a year or two on the road) tend to think they can handle anything. Experienced drivers are much more wary. Same with surgery. I went into operations years ago which now would give me great trepidation. I thought maybe I was getting chicken. But it’s not that. It’s just being more realistic.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2829133

, increased surgeon stress in the first 5 minutes of surgery was associated with a significant reduction in major surgical complications after controlling for patient, surgeon, and surgery characteristics.

[89th]

I certainly more stressed when I drive on cliffside roads, for sure. I'd imagine that helps me fare better than those who don't respect physics and gravity as much.

[George K]

"Never let 'em see you sweat."

[blondie]

Sending this to someone.
I wonder if this holds true for retirement age non surgeons, those doing interventional heart procedures?

[George K]

They measured heart rate variability. Is that a valid assessment of stress?

---

This is new to me. Thanks, ChatGPT:

Yes, the ratio of low-frequency (LF) to high-frequency (HF) heart rate variability (HRV) is often used as an indicator of stress in physiological and psychological research. Here's why:

Understanding HRV Components

1. Low-Frequency (LF) HRV: Reflects a combination of both sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system activity, though it is often more associated with sympathetic dominance.
2. High-Frequency (HF) HRV: Directly linked to parasympathetic nervous system activity, especially vagal tone, which reflects relaxation and calm states.

LF/HF Ratio as a Stress Marker

• The LF/HF ratio represents the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system.
• Higher LF/HF ratios are generally associated with increased sympathetic activity (stress, anxiety, or arousal).
• Lower LF/HF ratios indicate a dominance of parasympathetic activity (relaxation, recovery, or calmness).

Validity of LF/HF as a Stress Measure

• Supportive Evidence: Numerous studies have shown that acute stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges correlate with an elevated LF/HF ratio, making it a useful proxy for stress.
• Limitations:
• • LF and HF components can vary due to factors other than stress, such as breathing rate, physical activity, age, and certain medical conditions.
• • LF/HF ratio interpretation can sometimes oversimplify the complexity of autonomic nervous system regulation.

Practical Use

The LF/HF ratio is commonly used in:

• Stress monitoring during work, exercise, or daily life.
• Biofeedback training to help individuals learn to regulate stress.
• Research studies on emotional and physiological responses.

In conclusion, while the LF/HF ratio is a valid and widely used measure of stress, it should ideally be used in combination with other physiological and psychological assessments for a more comprehensive evaluation.

[Mik]

bach, the driving analogy holds true for me, although I have no surgical experience to compare it to. Not as a surgeon anyway.

I'm much less trusting of other drivers and tend to try to find a pocket on the road as far away from others as I can.

[George K]

@Mik said in Stress during surgery:

I'm much less trusting of other drivers and tend to try to find a pocket on the road as far away from others as I can.

"Always assume the other guy is an idiot."

[Jolly]

I don't get stressed about things I can do nothing about.

Now, if I was holding the knife...

[jon-nyc]

I would have been stressed when young because I wouldn’t have known what I was doing. I’d be more stressed now because I still don’t know what I’m doing AND my hands have a bit of a tremor from tacrolimus.