Many surgeons believe that music should be played while in the operating room, with classical music being the most widely listened to.
The popularity and benefits of music in the operating room was discussed by David Bosanquet and his co-authors in the British Medical Journal, where he is an editorial author. Bosanquet is also a surgical registrar in the University Hospital of Wales department of surgery.
Bosanquet wrote that music is played in the background for 62 to 72 percent of operations, and it is the lead surgeon that often chooses the song.
The reason for music in the operating room is the supposed effect of reducing anxiety, and because it improves the efficiency and communication of team members. Bosanquet adds that surgical performance also appears to be enhanced with music because focus on the task is increased, especially for the surgeons that regularly listen to music.
Classical music is the most popular genre in the operating room because, according to Bosanquet, it is able to "evoke mental vigilance," aided by the fact that there are no lyrics.
Bosanquet notes that playing music in the operating room is not for everyone, and not for all cases. One instance where music can hinder more instead of a help in the operating room is when it prevents effective communication. However, if the music calms the members of the operating team, then communication could turn out to be more effective. In addition, lively and upbeat music should be used for routine surgeries, as opposed to emergency or complex operations.
Bosanquet compares music in the operating room with studying, as people find that music can either boost concentration or can prove to be a distraction. Surgeons that find music distracting should, of course, choose to stop playing music.
Melodies in the operating room are also not for the surgeons alone. Data suggests that music can also have a calming effect on the patients throughout the entire process of the surgery.
In a study that involved 372 patients that were to undergo elective surgery, songs that featured relaxing melodies of 60 to 80 beats per minute, which is similar to the relaxed heart rate, proved to be more effective compared to sleep-inducing medicine administered before procedures.
Bosanquet and his co-authors even recommended songs for surgeons looking for more music to add to their playlists, including "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, "Fix You" by Coldplay and "Smooth Operator" by Sade.
Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," however, should never be played in the operating room, for obvious reasons.
