Background: New instruments are currently being developed to address the technical and ergonomics difficulties in laparoscopy.
Aim: To analyze the pressure exerted on the surgeons’ fingers and palm of the hand during the use of a robotic needle holder in urethrovesical anastomosis on an animal model.
Project Description: Five experienced surgeons performed an urethrovesical anastomosis on an in vivo porcine model. They used both a conventional and a robotic laparoscopic needle holder with ergonomic handle (DEXTM). The pressure exerted during the use of both instruments on the surgeon’s fingers (thumb, index and middle) and palm of the hand was measured by a pressure sensor system (FingerTPS).
Preliminary Results: The palm of the hand received the highest pressure. The robotic instrument exerted more pressure on the middle finger and intermediate phalange of the index finger. The conventional instrument exerted more pressure on the distal phalange of the index finger.