Abstract
Inadequacies exist in the ergonomics of upper body positioning of robotic surgeons; these deficits in biomechanical efficacy predispose surgeons to musculoskeletal injury. Ergonomics and biomechanics may be objectively measured using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to quantify ergonomic efficacy. The purpose of this study is to use validated ergonomic tools to assess the posture of robotic surgeons to examine deficiencies. Four robotic surgeons using the da Vinci model were observed for a minimum of 30min each. An Xbox connect camera was positioned 10feet away from the surgeon console. Kinetisense software measured position of the head, shoulders, mid-spine, hips, and knees. One image was captured every 30s. The software measured the positions in centimeters that deviated from an ideal central postural line (plumb line). RULA and REBA were also employed to assess posture using a still image at 15min. The average RULA score for the four surgeons was 4.75 (range 3-6). The average REBA score for the four surgeons was 7 (range 5-8). The average RULA score of 4.5/7 and the average REBA of 7/15 qualify as medium risk with the recommendation that action is needed to improve ergonomics. While this pilot study is limited in size, it demonstrates the need for further investigation. With more than half of surgeons reporting musculoskeletal pain after robotic surgery (McDonald et al. in Gynecol Oncol 134:243-247, 2014), poor posture may offer an explanation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.