Comparative assessment of physical and cognitive ergonomics associated with robotic and traditional laparoscopic surgeries
Top Cited Papers
- 3 October 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Surgical Endoscopy
- Vol. 28 (2), 456-465
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-013-3213-z
Abstract
We conducted this study to investigate how physical and cognitive ergonomic workloads would differ between robotic and laparoscopic surgeries and whether any ergonomic differences would be related to surgeons’ robotic surgery skill level. Our hypothesis is that the unique features in robotic surgery will demonstrate skill-related results both in substantially less physical and cognitive workload and uncompromised task performance. Thirteen MIS surgeons were recruited for this institutional review board-approved study and divided into three groups based on their robotic surgery experiences: laparoscopy experts with no robotic experience, novices with no or little robotic experience, and robotic experts. Each participant performed six surgical training tasks using traditional laparoscopy and robotic surgery. Physical workload was assessed by using surface electromyography from eight muscles (biceps, triceps, deltoid, trapezius, flexor carpi ulnaris, extensor digitorum, thenar compartment, and erector spinae). Mental workload assessment was conducted using the NASA-TLX. The cumulative muscular workload (CMW) from the biceps and the flexor carpi ulnaris with robotic surgery was significantly lower than with laparoscopy (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the CMW from the trapezius was significantly higher with robotic surgery than with laparoscopy (p < 0.05), but this difference was only observed in laparoscopic experts (LEs) and robotic surgery novices. NASA-TLX analysis showed that both robotic surgery novices and experts expressed lower global workloads with robotic surgery than with laparoscopy, whereas LEs showed higher global workload with robotic surgery (p > 0.05). Robotic surgery experts and novices had significantly higher performance scores with robotic surgery than with laparoscopy (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that the physical and cognitive ergonomics with robotic surgery were significantly less challenging. Additionally, several ergonomic components were skill-related. Robotic experts could benefit the most from the ergonomic advantages in robotic surgery. These results emphasize the need for well-structured training and well-defined ergonomics guidelines to maximize the benefits utilizing the robotic surgery.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Higher physical workload risks with NOTES versus laparoscopy: a quantitative ergonomic assessmentSurgical Endoscopy, 2010
- Patients Benefit While Surgeons Suffer: An Impending EpidemicJournal of the American College of Surgeons, 2010
- Interactive effects of physical and mental workload on subjective workload assessmentInternational Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 2008
- Ergonomic risk associated with assisting in minimally invasive surgerySurgical Endoscopy, 2008
- Ergonomics in minimally invasive surgeryInternational Journal of Clinical Practice, 2007
- Minimal access surgery (MAS)-related surgeon morbidity syndromesSurgical Endoscopy, 2005
- Method for the analysis of posture and interface pressure of car driversApplied Ergonomics, 2002
- Effect of four computer keyboards in computer users with upper extremity musculoskeletal disordersAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1999
- Ergonomic problems associated with laparoscopic surgerySurgical Endoscopy, 1999
- A Computer-Aided System to Evaluate Postural Stress in the WorkplaceAihaj Journal, 1986