Comparative Study of Ergonomics in Conventional and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-06, Vol.24 (12), p.3840
• Main Authors: Pérez-Salazar, Manuel J, Caballero, Daniel, Sánchez-Margallo, Juan A, Sánchez-Margallo, Francisco M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Comparative analysis; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiography; Ergonomics; Fatigue; Female; general surgery; gynecology; Humans; Laparoscopic surgery; Laparoscopy; Laparoscopy - methods; Male; Middle Aged; minimally invasive surgery; Muscle function; Physiology; Posture; Posture - physiology; Robotic surgery; Robotic Surgical Procedures - methods; Sensors; simulation setting; Stress; Surgeons; urology; Wearable computers; wearable device; Wearable Electronic Devices; Workloads
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s24123840

This study aims to implement a set of wearable technologies to record and analyze the surgeon's physiological and ergonomic parameters during the performance of conventional and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, comparing the ergonomics and stress levels of surgeons during surgical procedures. This study was organized in two different settings: simulator tasks and experimental model surgical procedures. The participating surgeons performed the tasks and surgical procedures in both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery in a randomized fashion. Different wearable technologies were used to record the surgeons' posture, muscle activity, electrodermal activity and electrocardiography signal during the surgical practice. The simulator study involved six surgeons: three experienced (>100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 36.33 ± 13.65 years old) and three novices (100 laparoscopic procedures performed; 37.00 ± 5.29 years old), but without experience in surgical robotics, participated in the experimental model study. The participating surgeons showed an increased level of stress during the robotic-assisted surgical procedures. Overall, improved surgeon posture was obtained during robotic-assisted surgery, with a reduction in localized muscle fatigue. A set of wearable technologies was implemented to measure and analyze surgeon physiological and ergonomic parameters. Robotic-assisted procedures showed better ergonomic outcomes for the surgeon compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. Ergonomic analysis allows us to optimize surgeon performance and improve surgical training.