Saving Lives to a Soundtrack: How a Military Doctor Uses Music in the Operating Room

The Work of Anesthesiologist Serhii Prudnikov

According to Главком: Anesthesiologist Serhii Prudnikov from Odesa serves as a military doctor, saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers and evacuating the wounded. He began this work in 2014, performing his first evacuations of injured Ukrainian service members. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, he has served on rotations in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions, providing critical medical aid and support to his colleagues.

A Unique Approach to Surgery

Serhii Prudnikov employs a unique method during operations-he plays music to help maintain the team's working rhythm. This practice began at the start of his career when he used an MP3 player. Today, he uses his phone to select music, considering not only his own preferences but also those of his colleagues.

“When an operation is long and I see the surgeons are exhausted, I sometimes turn up the volume and put on something more rhythmic. Something to wake them up a bit. They become more active and continue working,” the doctor notes.

Beyond his work, Serhii values time spent outdoors. “I enjoy walking along the Health Trail. The rain, the sea. An hour-long walk is the best way to recharge. Not lying on the sofa, but moving actively,” he says. This approach to active recovery helps him stay focused and energized for his demanding duties.

In the context of medical achievements in Ukraine, it is also worth noting that doctors in Lviv recently performed surgery on a child weighing 750 grams, born at 25 weeks of gestation. This newborn girl survived 147 days in intensive care and nine months fighting for her life, demonstrating the high level of professionalism among Ukrainian medical workers, a group that includes Serhii Prudnikov.

The work of Serhii Prudnikov and his colleagues during wartime underscores the vital importance of medical aid and professional expertise in critical situations. They not only save lives but also implement innovative methods, such as using musical accompaniment during surgery, which can positively impact the psychological state of medical personnel. Furthermore, successes in medicine, like the case of the newborn girl, highlight the growing capabilities of Ukrainian healthcare in the face of immense challenges.

In addition to the inspiring story of Serhii Prudnikov, the resilience of medical professionals is further highlighted by a remarkable case in China, where a man lived for eight years with a metal rod lodged in his throat before a successful operation. This incident sheds light on the extraordinary challenges faced by healthcare workers globally, similar to those encountered by Ukrainian doctors. To learn more about this unique surgical case, click here.