Scalpel, suture, iPod.

• Position: MEDICINE - Brief article

Like most of modern life, surgery has acquired a soundtrack. Surgeons say music relaxes them and focuses their attention, and recent research shows that there are also mild benefits for the patient. Some doctors choose loud rock 'n' roll for routine operations and Mozart for trickier ones; others prefer jazz, reggae, or opera. There is even a category known as "closing music"--raucous sounds to suture by. Many operating rooms come equipped with a sound system, and surgeons often plug their iPods into speakers. Patients may be given headphones. Brian...