Ergonomics in Laparoscopic Surgery--A Survey of Symptoms and Contributing Factors

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to investigate physical/cognitive symptoms experienced by clinicians undertaking laparoscopic surgery (LS) in relation to demographics, operating factors, and instruments.

Methods: Fifty trainees/consultants practicing LS in Southeast England completed a 17-question survey. Results were analyzed using nonparametric tests of metric, ordinal, and binomial data.

Results: Forty-five percent of respondents reported moderate/severe symptoms during long cases (>2 h). Worse neck/shoulder (N=45, P=0.01), back (N=44, P=0.002), and fatigue/irritability (N=42, P=0.02) symptoms were reported for long (vs. short) cases. Assistants reported worse back symptoms than principle operators (N=43, P=0.02, long cases). Females (vs. males), glove size ≤6.5 (vs. ≥7.0), and experience ≤5years (vs. 5 to 10, >10 y) reported worse symptoms relating to handle dimensions (N=45, P=0.004, 0.001, 0.01, respectively). Ninety-six percent believe ergonomics should be incorporated into LS courses.

Conclusions: Principle and assistant surgeons experience adverse symptoms during LS; ergonomics training and handles dimensions, accommodating female surgeons, and smaller glove sizes may reduce this.