Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Surgical Robot-Assisted Transanal Specimen Extraction Radical Sigmoidectomy Without an Auxiliary Abdominal Incision
Published on: June 13, 2025
Patient exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries
Jai Won Chung1,2, Jee Soo Park3, Soo Beom Choi1,2
1Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries require many electronic devices, and the hazard of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) from these devices to humans remains uncertain. This study aimed to measure and compare patients' exposure levels to ELF-MFs in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
Methods:
The intensity of ELF-MF exposure to patients was measured every 10 s during 30 laparoscopic surgeries and 30 robotic surgeries using portable ELF-MF measuring devices with logging capabilities.
Results:
The mean ELF-MF exposures were 0.11 ± 0.07 μT for laparoscopic surgeries and 0.12 ± 0.10 μT for robotic surgeries. There were no significant differences between the laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
Conclusions:
Patients' mean ELF-MF exposure levels in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries were lower than 0.2 μT, which is considered safe according to previous studies. However, because many medical devices have been implemented for multiple purposes in hospitals, the MF environment in hospitals regarding patient health should not be overlooked. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
