(0231) Is It Loud in Here: Noise in the OR

Introduction: Noise in operating theaters can induce physical and psychological stress. This study aimed to record noise levels in otolaryngology operating rooms, distinguish relationship between noise level and subspecialty, and determine if there is a correlation between noise, verbal communication, and surgery difficulty.

Methods: In this pilot prospective study, noise levels and surgeon feedback were collected from 30 otolaryngology surgeries at a Tertiary Academic Medical Center from May - July of 2023. The cases were randomly selected based on research staff availability to collect data. Emergency otolaryngology surgical cases were excluded. The study cohort included 10 general ENT, 6 laryngology, 5 rhinology, 5 head and neck, and 4 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries. Noise data was collected using the Curconsa Sound Level Meter SL720. Communication ease and surgery difficulty level were reported by surgeons via survey following each case. Communication ability was determined from reported incidence of repeating information in the operating room (OR) and considered impaired if marked 'yes.' Reported case difficulty level was ranked from grade 1 (lowest) to grade 4 (highest).

Results: The average noise decibel level across all otolaryngology operating rooms was 64.5 dB (CI 63.6 - 65.4), and maximum noise level recorded was 76.9 dB. No statistically significant relationship between average noise level and subspecialty was found (p > 0.05). In 33% of surgeries, surgeons reported impaired communication. Of these 10 cases, the difficulty of surgery was ranked as: grade 1 in 3 cases, grade 2 in 4 cases, and grade 3 in 3 cases. No surgeon reported difficulty communicating at grade 4 surgeries.

Conclusions: Surgeons reported communication impairment during lower surgery difficulty levels compared to during complicated surgeries, suggesting a higher surgeon focus level in more difficult surgeries despite background noise levels. The relationship between noise level and subspecialties was insignificant.