Use of a robotic camera holder (FreeHand®) for laparoscopic appendicectomy. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mittal, Rohin; Sbaih, Mohammed; Motson, Roger W.; Arulampalam, Tan
• Is Part Of: Minimally invasive therapy & allied technologies. Volume 29:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: FreeHand -- laparoscopic camera holder -- laparoscopic appendicectomy -- robotic camera holder; Endoscopy -- Periodicals; Interventional radiology -- Periodicals; Endoscopic surgery -- Periodicals; 617.05
• DOI: 10.1080/13645706.2019.1576052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-5706

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Use of a mechanical arm to hold the laparoscopic camera has many advantages. FreeHand ® (FreeHand Ltd, Guildford, United Kingdom) is a robotic camera holder which uses head movement and infrared technology. This trial assessed the usefulness of FreeHand ® in laparoscopic appendicectomy. Material and methods: This was a single center prospective cohort study on patients undergoing emergency laparoscopic appendicectomy using FreeHand ® . Patient demographics, operative details, conversion to human camera holder and surgeon discomfort were recorded. Utilization of assistant time while not assisting was also recorded. Results: Twenty-two participants were included, with a mean age of 32 years and a mean BMI of 25.3. The mean set up time was nine minutes. There were five conversions to a manual camera holder (22.7%). There were 22 lens cleaning episodes with nine (40.9%) not requiring any lens cleaning and six (27.3%) requiring one clean. There were no peri-operative complications. Most surgeons reported minimal or no discomfort. Assistant's time was used for ward work (57%), clerking patients (36%) and for a break (7%). Conclusions: FreeHand ® can be safely used in laparoscopic appendicectomy. It provides a stable image, puts the surgeon in control of the surgical field, causes minimal user discomfort, and frees up personnel.