Top Three Criteria Surgeons Consistently Request in LED Surgical Headlights

In last month’s issue of Shedding Light, we featured an interview with Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon Michael P. Leslie, DO, in which he mentioned his criteria in choosing an LED surgical headlight. Over the years and with all of the different surgical headlight models Enova has offered, surgeons have consistently asked about three specific criteria when it comes to LED surgical headlights: quality of illumination, battery life, and comfort. While this article covers the top three criteria surgeons ask about when looking at LED surgical headlights, Enova Illumination’s white paper highlighting all ten criteria will be available soon.

Quality of Illumination – Quality of illumination encompasses light brightness, color temperature, spot size and uniformity of light.
Surgical headlights are not alike when it comes to brightness and color temperature, both of which impact how well you see the surgical site. Brightness is measured in lux and surgical headlight brightness can range from as low as 40,000 lux to as high as 225,000 lux. When comparing the brightness of headlights it is important to note the distance at which lux is measured. The industry standard for measuring lux is at 14 inches.
Color temperature is the hue of the light. It can be cool or warm and is measured in degrees Kelvin.  The optimum color temperature for surgical headlights is 6100 degrees Kelvin, which is pure white illumination (comparable to daylight) that provides most surgeons with the truest tissue color rendition. Depending on the type of surgery performed, you may want a slightly different hue, which can be adjusted by using light filters.  Recent reports suggest that some surgeons have found that a lower color temperature may provide greater tissue differentiation though this appears to be a matter of individual preference.
The size of the light spot is important too. Depending on the kind of surgery performed, you generally want the ability to adjust the headlight’s light spot larger or smaller.
In addition the light itself should be uniform or consistent from edge-to-edge, not bright in the middle and dimming on the edges.
Battery Life – This issue relates solely to LED headlights as xenon and halogen lights are powered by a light box which is plugged into a AC circuit. The number of battery types is as varied as surgical headlights. The length of time you are in surgery throughout the day or week will dictate the headlight system you choose. Most LED surgical headlight battery packs use lithium ion or lithium polymer batteries, both of which are rechargeable. Battery life can range from fewer than two hours to 24 hours and will depend on the headlight used and the intensity chosen. Digital batteries offer superior performance because they are either “on” or “off,” which means the illumination is consistently bright.
Comfort –Surgical headlights have different weights. The heavier a headlight, the higher the chances you’ll have neck and shoulder pain during and after performing surgery. This is important criteria especially if you are required to wear other gear such as a lead vest. How the headlight is balanced is as important as weight. Is the headlight comfortable on your head? Is it fully adjustable? Is it balanced front to back?