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Ergonomic assessment of neck posture in the minimally invasive surgery suite during laparoscopic cholecystectomy
M J van Det1, W J H J Meijerink, C Hoff
1Department of Surgery, Leeuwarden Medical Center, P.O. Box 888, 8901 BR, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. marc.van.det@znb.nl
Background:
With the expanding implementation of minimally invasive surgery, the operating team is confronted with challenges in the field of ergonomics. Visual feedback is derived from a monitor placed outside the operating field. This crossover trial was conducted to evaluate and compare neck posture in relation to monitor position in a dedicated minimally invasive surgery (MIS) suite and a conventional operating room.
Methods:
Assessment of the neck was conducted for 16 surgeons, assisting surgeons, and scrub nurses performing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in both types of operating room. Flexion and rotation of the cervical spine were measured intraoperatively using a video analysis system. A two-question visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire was used to evaluate posture in relation to the monitor position.
Results:
Neck rotation was significantly reduced in the MIS suite for the surgeon (p = 0.018) and the assisting surgeon (p < 0.001). Neck flexion was significantly improved in the MIS suite for the surgeon (p < 0.001) and the scrub nurse (p = 0.018). On the questionnaire, the operating room team scored their posture significantly higher in the MIS suite and also indicated fewer musculoskeletal complaints.
Conclusions:
The ergonomic quality of the neck posture is significantly improved in the MIS suite for the entire operating room team.
