Ergonomics of a new handle design for minimally invasive surgery

Laparoscopy is a less invasive technique than open surgery and it has important benefits for patients but not so many for surgeons. It is the preferred technique (gold standard) to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) and is also accepted in procedures for hiatal hernia, nephrectomy and gastroesophageal reflux. Usually, the working environment and tools have been redesigned with ergonomics criteria in many professional activities. Numerous ergonomics studies in laparoscopic surgery show that surgeons claim to have discomfort, musculoskeletal disorders and physical fatigue due to static and forced postures during the surgical process. An ergonomic study comparing conventional laparoscopic instruments with a new handle design has been made in this study. The new instrumental design is the result of several previous works like epidemiological and EMG studies; ergonomic analysis using RULA method and industrial design with mechanical evaluations.