Professor Erik K. Weitzel
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MD USAF
Otolaryngologist, Connally Memorial Medical Center, Floresville, Texas & Adjunct Professor, University Texas Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, USA Col.(ret) Erik K. Weitzel MD, MC, USAF is a Professor of Otolaryngology, Connally Memorial Medical Center, Floresville, Texas. He also serves as president and CEO of OPMED LLC, a company dedicated to translating scientific discovery to commercialized solutions. Professor Weitzel has adjunct Professorships at University Texas Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Retired from Active Duty as of September 2024, Col(ret) Weitzel was the previous Deputy Commander of the US Army’s Institute for Surgical Research (2017-2020), one of six research laboratories within the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command of the U.S. Army Medicine Command and the Army's lead research laboratory for improving the care of combat casualties. He then became Chief of Operational Medicine 59th Medical Wing (2020-2022) where he developed the VAPOR TRAILS research and sustainment model to facilitate translation of novel research concepts to real world Critical Care Air Transport missions. His final military duty was Human Protections Director for Air Force Research Laboratories (2022-2024) wherein he served as the Chief Medical Officer to oversee safety of all human performance enhancement research within the laboratory’s multi-billion-dollar research portfolio. |
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Rhinologic Ergonomics
This lecture argues that work-related musculoskeletal disorder is a major, under-addressed hazard in rhinology, especially endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery, and that ergonomics matters for both surgeon longevity and patient safety. After framing the problem through personal experience and published prevalence data, the talk adapts established laparoscopic ergonomic principles to rhinology across five domains: monitor placement, surgeon posture, foot pedal use, table height, and instrument design. Key recommendations include placing the monitor about one meter away with the top at eye level, aligning the surgeon’s eyes, the patient’s nose, and the screen, avoiding loupes and headlights during FESS when possible, minimizing neck rotation and flexion, supporting the seated endoscope arm at tragus level, prioritizing a neutral wrist even if shoulder posture is imperfect, and using a perched posture or alternating sitting and standing to reduce lumbar strain. The lecture emphasizes that foot pedals are a major postural disruptor, that current ESS instruments remain ergonomically suboptimal, and that surgeons should use a repeatable setup routine, microbreaks, stretching, cardio, sleep optimization, and long-term core strengthening to reduce fatigue, pain, and error risk. It also highlights emerging supports such as armrests, exoskeletons, and nursing-focused tools, but ultimately stresses prevention over treatment alone.
