Music in OR?

[LoriW]

I'm new to these forums so I apologize if this is a question that is a repeat. I've been reading a lot about preparing for surgery and the effects of positive thinking on recovery, etc. Have any of you listened to music on headsets during the surgery and how did your OS respond to your request. I had breast cancer 7 years ago and my surgeon at that time was very supportive of my wish to listen to music. Thank you in advance for your input.

 

[Jamie]

I don't recall anyone ever asking that in the year or so I've been involved with the forum, but I'd say go for it if it makes you more comfortable and your surgeon is okay with it. I don't know if there would be an issue about the headset not being sterile in the operating room. However....you will be blissfully asleep during surgery, so I'm not sure what the music would do to benefit you.

 

[Josephine]

As a matter of fact, all patients who were having locals and/or spinals were encouraged to bring their mp3s with them. It's fairly well accepted that a little of your favourite music can work wonders in the way of relaxcation. There's been articles galore in the medical journals.

And most ORs have media centres so the team can listen to music - anything from hard rock to jazz and rap to classical - as it calms the mind and helps focuss. Did you never watch Chicago Hope?

 

[Judles]

Lori,,,,,Ditto what Jamie said! Just hope your OS is happy with the music that's selected,,,,,,maybe that's why they call it the operating "theatre". Who knows? But you won't hear it anyway! One LESS thing to worry about!

 

[PRGal]

When I had my hip replaced in October, I was provided an iPod by the hospital to use during my surgery. According to the nurse who ran the joint replacement program at the hospital (and called me in advance to ask for my music preferences), studies have shown that even under sedation, the brain is soothed by music you find pleasing. I don't remember hearing anything--but did wake up in recovery with ear buds still in place. (No, didn't get to keep it, but it also didn't show up on my bill!

Bringing your own MP3 player may be a sterility issue for the OR, but it certainly doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[Josephine]

I don't know if there would be an issue about the headset not being sterile in the operating room. However....you will be blissfully asleep during surgery, so I'm not sure what the music would do to benefit you.

Not everything can be sterile in the OR, Jamie! Us for example! So that would be no problem.

Also, the hearing is the last sense to succumb when a person is sedated or rendered unconscious. That's why they have people play tape recordings of loved ones to people in a coma. Chances are, even in that condition, they will hear them.

But in this situation, though sedated, there'd still be a chance (albeit slight) that the patient might hear and retain the memory of noises in the OR. In those situations, some nice music is a perfect barrier.

 

[LoriW]

I've read there's some research regarding our auditory system and how it doesn't shut down completely even when we are under heavy anesthesia -- we may not consciously remember what we hear but it gets in there anyway. And maybe it's just a placebo effect -- I'm asking for it anyway.
Thanks for your replies.

 

[Jamie]

I've learned something today about this!!! Thanks everyone for educating me. And good luck, Lori.....I hope your surgeon agrees to allow your music. Come to think of it, it would have been great to wake up to the Beach Boys!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Round, round, get around I get around
LOL
^i^

 

[LoriW]

I was also thinking "Bad to the Bone" -- ok I'm a little crazy!

 

[Jamie]

Too funny!!!

 

[Peta]

I was also thinking "Bad to the Bone" -- ok I'm a little crazy!

I laughed out loud at that one Lori!

Peta

 

[Josephine]

At the risk of bad taste in this thread, I must tell you about John Watson Farrar, the hip surgeon I worked with at the beginning of my career. He was one half of the pioneer McKee-Farrar partnership that first devised hip replacements. I went to his funeral some years ago and as the curtains closed round the dias and the coffin, the music played was what he had chosen himself - it was called El Condor Pasa, whose lyrics were, if you recall ...

If I had a hammer,
I'd hammer in the morning,
I'd hammer in the evening,
All over this land,
I'd hammer out danger,
I'd hammer out a warning,
I'd hammer out love between,
My brothers and my sisters,
All over this land.

There were many, many smiles amongst the mourners as they sat humming the song!

 

[Peta]

LOL - Now THAT'S even funnier Jo - and VERY appropriate!

Peta

 

[Judles]

There must've been quite a lot of cackling going on! Very memorable!