Ergonomic simulation investigating the association between surgeon characteristics and laparoscopic device strain in gynecologic surgery

Abstract

Laparoscopic instruments are known to contribute to the ergonomic injury of surgeons. Laparoscopic devices have largely been designed as one-size-fits-all, however women surgeons and surgeons of smaller glove size have reported increased odds of physical strain from use of these devices. Our objective was to perform an ergonomic simulation to assess whether surgeon characteristics, including sex and hand size, were associated with grip strength decline with use of 3 advanced energy laparoscopic devices (LigaSure, HALO PKS, and ENSEAL).