The Science Behind Music and Surgery Performance

Cutting Through the Noise: Songs That Surgeons Play in the OR
In the sterile, high-stakes world of surgery, where every second counts and focus can make the difference between life and death, an unexpected variable often makes its way into the operating room: music.

Not alarms. Not monitors. Not the sterile chatter of scrub techs. But beats, melodies, rhythms—everything from Beethoven to Beyoncé, from classic rock to chill lo-fi. The OR becomes not only a theatre of precision but a soundscape of preference, ritual, and even superstition.

So, what do surgeons actually listen to in the OR? Why do they choose particular tracks? Is there a science to this, or is it just personal vibe? And does it really improve performance—or is it just about cutting through the stress, not just the skin?

This article explores the surprisingly rich world of surgical soundtracks—from psychology and productivity to team dynamics and personal motivation—and what it says about the culture of medicine itself.

The OR Playlist: Soundtrack to Surgery
Walk into a modern OR, and you might hear:

• Coldplay quietly playing during a laparoscopic appendectomy.
  
  
• Metallica blasting during a high-stakes orthopedic trauma.
  
  
• Lo-fi hip-hop beats during a robotic prostatectomy.
  
  
• Chopin during a pediatric cardiac bypass.
  

No, it’s not a DJ’s strange setlist. It’s the operating room—a paradoxical place where serious medicine meets personal mood.

Some surgeons swear by a carefully curated Spotify playlist. Others rely on old-school CD players they’ve used since residency. And a few remain silent traditionalists, viewing music as a distraction from the sanctity of the scalpel.

But for the majority, music has become a ritual of readiness—a prelude to precision.

Why Surgeons Play Music: The Psychology Behind the Playlist
Music in the OR isn’t just about preference. It’s about performance, emotion regulation, and team synergy.

1. Enhancing Focus and Flow
Studies show that background music—especially instrumental or familiar music—can enhance focus and induce a "flow state," particularly in repetitive, skilled tasks.

In long surgeries, this can be the difference between fatigue and finesse.

2. Reducing Stress
Even the most seasoned surgeons aren’t immune to pressure. Music can lower cortisol, slow the heart rate, and create a sense of control in a chaotic environment.

When the case is complex and hours stretch endlessly, a good beat can anchor the mind.

3. Creating Routine
Much like an athlete has a pre-game ritual, many surgeons have a pre-op playlist they use to get “in the zone.” It can become a psychological cue that it’s time to perform.

One vascular surgeon admitted he couldn’t start without playing “Eye of the Tiger.” Laugh if you want—he hasn’t lost a limb in 15 years.

Who Controls the Playlist? OR Team Politics
Music isn’t always a solo act.

Operating rooms are team environments, and the choice of music can impact not only the surgeon’s mood but the scrub nurse, anesthesiologist, and even circulating staff.

The Unwritten Rules of OR Music:

• Senior surgeon = DJ by default
  
  
• Anesthesiologist gets volume control
  
  
• Nurse can veto death metal during a pediatric case
  
  
• Emergency trumps entertainment — any critical moment means immediate silence
  

Surgeons who respect their teams often take requests or rotate playlists. After all, a good surgery isn’t a solo—it’s a symphony.

Themed Playlists: Yes, They Exist
Believe it or not, many surgeons develop theme-based playlists for specific types of surgeries.

Orthopedics:
Known for their love of classic rock and louder beats. Think AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, or The Rolling Stones. The bone work gets intense—and so does the music.

Cardiothoracics:
High stakes, high concentration. Often go for instrumental jazz, piano classics, or slow ambient music.

Plastic Surgeons:
Curated, aesthetic playlists. Chill pop, French electro, indie acoustics. The music feels as refined as the rhinoplasty.

General Surgeons:
Mix of upbeat ‘90s and early 2000s hits. One general surgeon confessed his go-to was a Shakira-only playlist—“because hips don’t lie and neither do incisions.”

Iconic Songs Surgeons Admit to Playing
Here’s a roundup of songs and their oddly appropriate relevance in the OR:

• “Under Pressure” – Queen & David Bowie
  For obvious reasons.
  
  
• “Staying Alive” – Bee Gees
  Morbid humor? Maybe. A CPR training classic? Definitely.
  
  
• “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor
  If the case is difficult, this becomes… spiritual.
  
  
• “Take My Breath Away” – Berlin
  Questionable choice in the middle of an intubation.
  
  
• “Highway to Hell” – AC/DC
  Yes, some ortho surgeons really do this before tricky cases. Dark humor is alive and well.
  
  
• “Smooth Operator” – Sade
  Because sometimes you have to announce your vibe.
  

Does Music Really Improve Surgical Outcomes?
Let’s cut through the humor for a moment.

Several studies have attempted to assess whether music truly affects surgical performance.

The Science Says:

• Music improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances task performance in controlled settings.
  
  
• In laparoscopic simulations, trainees exposed to music showed better precision and speed.
  
  
• However, complex or lyrically distracting music can negatively affect concentration in high-stress procedures.
  

The verdict?
Instrumental music with a moderate tempo = optimal
Heavy lyrics or erratic changes in genre = potential distraction

But the most important variable is familiarity and comfort. Music that makes the surgeon feel grounded often works best.

Music and Medical Students: What They Learn Early
Interestingly, some medical schools have started letting students observe OR culture—including music choices.

It’s an important social cue. The moment the attending says “Play track 4,” students know:

• The tension is lowering
  
  
• The surgeon is in command
  
  
• It’s time to focus
  

These moments also teach students about professional humanity. That even in the OR, filled with machines and protocols, there is space for personality and comfort.

Surgeons Speak: What Music Means to Them
“Surgery is rhythm. You move your hands like choreography. Music just fits.”
— A Neurosurgeon

“I know a tough case is coming when I hear silence.”
— A Scrub Nurse

“My playlist is my armor. My beat is my scalpel’s metronome.”
— A Trauma Surgeon

Music isn’t just in the background. For many, it’s part of their surgical identity.

When NOT to Play Music in the OR
There are times when silence is golden.

• During critical decision points
  
  
• When introducing new trainees
  
  
• If the patient or family requests silence
  
  
• In cases involving high emotional sensitivity (e.g. pediatric oncology)
  

Knowing when to pause the music is a sign of professional maturity.

The Hidden Power of OR Music: Morale and Memory
There’s something poetic about this:
The song you hear when you save a life may never leave your memory. Likewise, the song you hear when a case goes sideways might become untouchable.

That’s the emotional gravity of music in medicine. It becomes a bookmark in the story of your surgical career.

Final Incision: Let the Playlist Play On
In the age of smart hospitals, robotic surgeries, and AI assistance, the fact that music still has a place in the OR says something deeply human.

It reminds us that beneath the scrubs and scalpels are people. People with nerves, memories, rhythms, and preferences.

Whether it’s Bach, Beyoncé, or Billie Eilish—if it helps you operate better, breathe easier, and lead the room—let it play.