Energy consumption during simulated minimal access surgery with and without using an armrest.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Technology
• Ergonomics in Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Minimal access surgery (MAS) can lead to surgeon fatigue, chronic injuries, and errors due to prolonged procedure times.
• Existing research on surgeon fatigue in MAS primarily relies on questionnaires and electromyography, lacking direct energy expenditure (EE) measurements.
• Investigating methods to mitigate surgeon fatigue and enhance safety in MAS is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an armrest on the energy expenditure (EE) of surgeons during simulated minimal access surgery (MAS).
• To assess whether armrest use influences error rates and surgeon comfort during MAS procedures.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen surgeons participated in simulated MAS tasks, performing glove cutting with and without an armrest.
• Energy consumption was quantified using the Oxycon Mobile system during all simulated procedures.
• Error rates, procedure duration, and surgeon comfort levels were recorded.

Main Results:

• Armrest use resulted in a 5% reduction in oxygen uptake (VO2), indicating lower energy expenditure.
• The error rate decreased from 42.29% without the armrest to 35% with armrest use.
• Surgeons reported higher comfort levels with the armrest, with 75% preferring its use.

Conclusions:

• Armrest support effectively reduces energy consumption for surgeons during simulated MAS.
• The use of an armrest can potentially decrease errors and improve surgeon comfort in minimal access surgery.
• Armrests represent a practical ergonomic tool for enhancing surgeon well-being and performance in MAS.