Ergonomic hand positioning overcomes visual perception mismatch in nonsimulated robotic colorectal surgery

The aim of the study was to compare the internal instrument and external surgeon hand positions to determine whether visual perception mismatch (VPM) is a factor during robotic colorectal surgery. Continuous video footage of 24 consecutive robotic colorectal surgery cases were analysed concurrently with sagittal video recordings of surgeon hand positions. Separated sagittal hand positions would indicate nonergonomic positioning without clutching of the robotic controls, either matching the on-screen up/down instrument tip positions (no VPM) or in the opposite direction (true VPM). Variables (30-min surgery time blocks, anatomic target, and task performed), which resulted in hand separation or VPM, were analysed. Operating with the presence of VPM for more than one duration occurred 51 times and nonergonomic sagittal hand positioning occurred 22 times. For an experienced robotic surgeon, ergonomic positioning of the hands is favoured over adjustment for VPM despite the potential higher mental workload.