Tina Dalager

About

Tina Dalager is a leading researcher in surgical ergonomics, dedicated to understanding and mitigating the physical strain on surgeons performing minimally invasive procedures. Her work primarily focuses on the comparative ergonomic impacts of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, aiming to improve surgeon well-being and procedural safety. Her most influential contribution is a 2020 study comparing surgeons' posture and muscle strain during laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which has garnered 80 citations and is considered a foundational text in the field. This work, along with her highly cited 2016 systematic review on musculoskeletal pain among minimally invasive surgeons (73 citations), has been instrumental in quantifying the occupational hazards of modern surgery. Dalager’s research extends to practical interventions, including a pilot study on ergonomic chairs for robotic surgery. Her latest work, the ESRALI trial (2025), continues to break new ground by directly comparing ergonomic outcomes in inguinal hernia repair. Through rigorous methodology, Dalager has established herself as a key voice advocating for surgeon health, providing the evidence base needed to redesign operating rooms for the people who work in them.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Surgeons' posture and muscle strain during laparoscopic and robotic surgery

   80 citations · 2020
2. 2
   Musculoskeletal pain among surgeons performing minimally invasive surgery: a systematic review

   73 citations · 2016
3. 3
   Surgeons’ muscle load during robotic-assisted laparoscopy performed with a regular office chair and the preferred of two ergonomic chairs: A pilot study

   24 citations · 2018
4. 4
   Ergonomic strain of robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (ESRALI)—a crossover trial

   3 citations · 2025

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links