A wearable lower extremity support for laparoscopic surgeons: A pilot study. Issue 1 (8th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kawahira, Hiroshi; Nakamura, Ryoichi; Shimomura, Yoshihiro; Oshiro, Takashi; Okazumi, Shinichi; Lefor, Alan K.
• Is Part Of: Asian journal of endoscopic surgery. Volume 14:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 144
• Page End: 148
• Publication Date: 2020-07-08
• Subjects: assist suit -- electromyography -- laparoscopy -- wearable device; Endoscopic surgery -- Periodicals; Endoscopic surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; 617.05705
• DOI: 10.1111/ases.12812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5902

Abstract

Abstract: Surgeons have increased physical stress during laparoscopic surgery due to operative site constraints. We developed a wearable device to reduce the physical stress on surgeons' lower extremities. The device mechanically facilitates maintaining a near‐upright posture. The surgeon's knees are gently bent by a knee‐joint locking mechanism, and fixing and releasing are performed independently on each side. The subjects were one female and two male surgeons, who wore the device during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair or high anterior resection. Surface electromyogram (EMG) was conducted for both iliopsoas muscles. Control values were determined with the subject not wearing the device. Participants completed a post‐procedure questionnaire. With the device, EMG activity had a tendency to decrease in the left iliopsoas muscle ( P = .055), but it changed little on the right ( P = .406). The post‐procedure questionnaire showed an overall positive impression, although subjects reported some difficulty walking. This device decreases EMG activity and may improve a surgeon's work environment.