Output force and ratio of laparoscopic graspers: an evaluation of operating room ergonomics

"Laparoscopist's thumb," or thenar paresthesia, can result from prolonged or excessive grip force during laparoscopy, as can more general syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. This is particularly relevant in gynecology, where laparoscopic procedures are standard. Although this method of injury is well known, there is a paucity of data to guide surgeons in selecting more efficient, ergonomic instruments.

This study compared the ratio of applied tissue force and required surgeon input in a sample of common ratcheting laparoscopic graspers in a small-handed surgeon, to provide potential metrics applicable to surgical ergonomics and surgeon instrument choice.

Laparoscopic graspers with varied ratcheting mechanisms and tip shapes were evaluated. Brands included Snowden-Pencer, Covidien, Aesculap, and Ethicon. A Kocher was used as an open instrument comparison. Flexiforce A401 thin-film force sensors were used to measure applied forces. Data were collected and calibrated using an Arduino Uno microcontroller board with Arduino and MATLAB software. Single-handed, complete closure of each device's ratcheting mechanism was performed 3 times. The maximum required input force in Newtons was recorded and averaged. The average output force was measured with a bare sensor and the same sensor between 2 different thicknesses of LifeLike BioTissue.

The most ergonomic ratcheting grasper for a small-handed surgeon was identified by the output ratio: the highest output force relative to the required surgeon input (the most force for the least amount of effort). The Kocher required an average input force of 33.66 N, with its highest output ratio of 3.46 (112 N output). The Covidien Endo Grasp was the most ergonomic, with an output ratio of 0.96 on the bare force sensor (31.4 N output). The Snowden-Pencer Wavy grasper was the least ergonomic, with an output ratio of 0.06 when applied to the bare force sensor (5.9 N output). All graspers except for the Endo Grasp had improving output ratios as tissue thickness and subsequent grasper contact area increased. Input force above that provided by the ratcheting mechanisms did not increase output force in a clinically relevant amount for any of the instruments evaluated.

Laparoscopic graspers vary widely in their ability to provide reliable tissue force without requiring excessive input by the surgeon, and a point of diminishing returns often exists with increased surgeon input over designed ratcheting mechanisms. Output force and output ratio are potential quantitative measures of the efficiency of laparoscopic instruments. Providing users with this type of data could assist in optimizing instrument ergonomics.