Most surgeons listen to music in the operating room

When you're going into surgery, the type of music that your doctors will be listening to is probably the last thing on your mind. But your surgeon's playlist could actually have some effect on how the procedure goes.

Music, which is generally chosen by the lead surgeon, is played roughly 62-72 percent of the time in the operating room, according to a new report published in The BMJ. The genre most often chosen is classical music.

Roughly 80 percent of operating room staff say that music benefits cooperation between team members, reduces anxiety levels and improves efficiency. Research has also suggested that music may improve surgeons' task focus.

While some medical experts argue that music might be distracting and hinder communication in the operating room, the Wales surgeons maintain that if noise levels are controlled, the benefits may outweigh the risks.

Relaxing music in the operating room may benefit not just doctors, but also patients. A 2009 study of 372 patients found that playing relaxing melodies that mimicked the resting heart rate was more effective than standard pharmaceutical interventions in reducing anxiety before patients went under anesthesia. This study and other research suggests that this positive effect may be maintained after surgery, the Wales surgeons note.

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