Ans: Almost nothing. The biggest difference is the design, but they are essentially the same thing.
A surgical headlamp is a head-mounted light source that helps provide illumination to the surgical field while freeing up staff to assist with other procedures in the OR. Surgical headlamps can be used in numerous medical specialties including general surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and dentistry.
Surgical lamps, on the other hand, are rigidly mounted onto support above the patient’s operating table and shine a light down on the surgical area, much like track lighting or a desk lamp. These lights are generally used for small surgeries and examinations in exam rooms or an OR.