A comparison of surgeons' posture during laparoscopic and open surgical procedures

Background: There is increasing recognition of surgeons' physical fatigue in the new ergonomic environment of laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine what the differences are in the movement of the surgeon's axial skeleton between laparoscopic and open operations. Methods: Surgeons' body positions were recorded on videotape during four laparoscopic (LAP) and six open (OP) operations. The percent of time the head and back were in a normal, bent, or twisted position as well as the number of changes in head and back position were tabulated using a computer program. A separate laboratory study was performed on four surgeons ``walking' a 0.5-inch polyethylene tubing forward and backward using laparoscopic and open techniques. The movements of the surgeons' head, trunk, and pelvis were measured using a three-camera kinematic system (Kin). The center of pressure was recorded using a floor-mounted forceplate (Fp). Results: In the operating room surgeons' head and back positions were more often straight in laparoscopic procedures and more often bent in open operations. The number of changes in back position per minute were significantly decreased when the laparoscopic-only part of surgery was analyzed. In the laboratory the subjects' head position was significantly (p= 0.02) more upright and the anteroposterior (AP) and rotational range of motion of the head was significantly reduced during laparoscopy. Subjects' CP was more anterior and there was a significant reduction in the AP range of motion of the CP during laparoscopy. Conclusions: Our study suggests that surgeons exhibit decreased mobility of the head and back and less anteroposterior weight shifting during laparoscopic manipulations despite a more upright posture. This more restricted posture during laparoscopic surgery may induce fatigue by limiting the natural changes in body posture that occur during open surgery. Received: 3 March 1996/Accepted: 2 July 1996     

Autonomic hyperreflexia during upper extremity surgery

A case is presented of autonomic hyperreflexia in a quadriplegic patient occurring during upper extremity surgery. Tourniquet ischaemia is proposed as the likely causative stimulus. An understanding of the afferent neural pathways involved in this physiological response may be useful in better understanding the subjective phenomena of tourniquet pain in neurologically intact individuals.     

Two cases of bilateral upper extremity pareses during laparoscopic colectomy

We herein report on two cases of bilateral upper extremity pareses developing after laparoscopic colectomy. The first case is a 42-year-old man undergoing laparoscopic colectomy under general and epidural anesthesia. During the operation, he was in a combined lithotomy and Trendelenburg position with his arms abducted to 80 degrees and flexed slightly on padded armboards. Postoperatively, he complained of numbness of bilateral forearms. A diagnosis of hypoperfusion caused by arm band was made. His symptoms subsided in three days by physical training. The second case is a 36-year-old woman who developed injury in the brachial plexus after laparoscopic colectomy. We suspect that the nerve injury was caused by the overstretching of her neck with her head under general anesthesia in Trendelenburg position.     

An ergonomic study of the optimum operating table height for laparoscopic surgery

Background: Laparoscopic surgery requires the use of longer instruments than open surgery, thus changing the relation between the height of the surgeon's hands and the desirable height of the operating room table. The optimum height of the operating room table for laparoscopic surgery is investigated in this study. Methods: Twenty-one surgeons performed a two-handed, one-fourth circle cutting task using a laparoscopic video system and laparoscopic instruments positioned at five instrument handle heights relative to subjects' elbow height (?20, ?10, 0, +10, and +20 cm) by adjusting the height of the trainer box. Subjects rated the difficulty and discomfort experienced during each task on a visual analog scale. Skin conductance (SC) was measured in Micromhos via paired surface electrodes placed near the ulnar edge of the palm of the right (cutting) hand. The mean electromyographic (EMG) signal from the right deltoid and trapezius muscles was measured. Arm orientation was measured in three dimensions using a magnetometer/accelerometer. Signals were acquired using analog circuitry and digitally sampled using a National Instruments DAQCard 700 connected to a Macintosh PowerBook 5300c running LabVIEW software. Statistical analysis was carried out by analysis of variance and post hoc testing. Results: Statistically significant changes were found in the subjective rating of discomfort (p <0.002), deltoid EMG (p <0.0006), trapezius EMG (p <0.0001), and arm elevation (p <0.0001) between instrument handle heights. SC values and task times did not change significantly. Discomfort and difficulty ratings were lowest when instrument handles were positioned at elbow height. EMG values and arm elevation all decreased with lower instrument height. Conclusion: This study suggests that the optimum table height for laparoscopic surgery should position the laparoscopic instrument handles close to surgeons' elbow level to minimize discomfort and upper arm and shoulder muscle work. This corresponds to an approximate table height of 64 to 77 cm above floor level. A redesign of current operating room tables may be required to meet these ergonomic guidelines.     

Lower extremity venous changes in pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND: The effect of pneumoperitoneum on veins of the lower limbs related to the intra-abdominal working pressures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been thoroughly investigated. We tested the hypothesis that working pressures do not affect the venous haemodynamics in the lower limbs. METHODS: The cross-sectional area and peak flow rates of femoral and saphenous veins in the right groin were measured in 60 patients divided into two groups according to the intra-abdominal working pressures (11 vs 14 mmHg). All measurements were carried out preoperatively and at predetermined periods during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by colour Doppler ultrasonography. One-way anova and chi(2) test were used for the analysis of demographic data. For the repeated measures, anova and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. The probabilities less than 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The cross-sectional area of the veins increased, whereas the peak flow rate in veins decreased during pneumoperitoneum. Comparing the peak flow rate in the saphenous vein at the third intraoperative measurement, there is statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The degree of intra-abdominal pressure affects the haemodynamics of the peripheral veins. Pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy causes stasis in the peripheral veins. It is reasonable to use routine prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis, in the light of these findings.     

Core temperature changes during open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery

Background: Perioperative hypothermia increases the morbidity of surgery. However, the true incidence of hypothermia during prolonged laparoscopic surgery is still unknown. To investigate this issue, we compared the temperature change between patients undergoing open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods: Sixty consecutive patients who were undergoing laparoscopic (33) or open (27) colorectal surgery had a transesophageal temperature probe placed after induction of anesthesia. Core temperature values were measured at 15-min intervals. Results: The groups were not statistically different with respect to age, sex, body surface area, or initial transesophageal temperature. The type of surgical access (open or laparoscopic) caused no difference in the incidence of hypothermia. The use of a forced-air warming device produced significantly less hypothermia during laparoscopic surgery. Men showed significantly less variability in temperature change than women. Conclusions: The incidence of hypothermia in open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery is similar. Forced-air warming devices are of value in prolonged laparoscopic surgery. A gender difference in the response to a hypothermic situation has not been previously reported. This finding warrants further investigation. Received: 28 April 1998/Accepted: 18 August 1998     

Maintaining perioperative normothermia during laparoscopic and open urologic surgery

PURPOSE: The ability to maintain normothermia during surgical procedures is crucial for improvement of the quality of patient care and the outcome of the procedure. We tested the hypothesis of whether one warming protocol is able to maintain normothermic core temperatures equally well in major open and laparoscopic urologic procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 300 patients who were scheduled for open (n=53) or laparoscopic (n=247) urologic procedures were included and received intraoperative warming using a combination of an upper and lower body forced-air warmer and a single warming blanket. Core temperature was measured at baseline, at induction of anesthesia, at the start of the operation, and at the end of the operation. RESULTS: A significant improvement in core temperature during the operation was achieved in all patients (P<0.001). There was no difference in the end-of-operation core temperature between laparoscopic and open procedures: (36.29 degrees C+/-0.03 degrees C v 36.23 degrees C+/-0.06 degrees C; P=0.224). Further, 23.3% of all patients had a core temperature of lower than 36.0 degrees C at the end of the operation (laparoscopy 23.8% v open 26.6%). Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation between duration of the operation and intraoperative core temperature (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The present warming protocol is effective in maintaining perioperative normothermia during major open and laparoscopic urologic procedures.     

Acute ventilatory complications during laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery

Purpose

This article examines and summarizes the published reports dealing with subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax and carbon dioxide (CO₂) embolism during laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery. The purpose is to describe the expected clinical picture, the differential diagnosis and the management of these complications.

Source

The information was obtained from a Medline literature search and the annual meeting supplements of Anesthesiology, Anesth Analg, Br J Anaesth and Can J Anaesth.

Principal findings

An abrupt increase in PetCO₂ is the first sign of subcutaneous emphysema and of pneumothorax. Desaturation and increased airway pressure occur with pneumothorax, but not with subcutaneous emphysema alone. Desaturation and increased airway pressure also occur with bronchial intubation. The preliminary diagnosis is made by verifying the position of the tube, examination of the patient for swelling and crepitus and auscultation for air entry. Chest radiography and paracentesis confirm the diagnosis of pneumothorax, which frequently occurs with subcutaneous emphysema but is rarely of the tension type. Pulmonary embolism due to CO₂ during WAS has not been reported, but the available data suggest that small, haemodynamically inconsequential CO₂ embolism occurs without change in PetCO₂. Massive embolism is possible and will markedly decrease PetCO₂, arterial O₂ saturation (SpO₂) and blood pressure.

Conclusion

The immediate recognition of the three complications requires continuous monitoring of PetCO₂, arterial saturation, airway pressure, and an index of pulmonary compliance.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中转开腹25例分析

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）中转开腹的预防。方法回顾性分析我院1999年12月～2005年10月852例LC中中转开腹手术25例的临床资料。中转原因：胆管损伤3例,出血1例,腹腔、胆囊周围粘连9例,胆囊三角解剖不清5例,胆囊十二指肠瘘2例,Mirizzi综合征Ⅱ型5例。结果中转开腹手术均获成功,无并发症。随访1～2年,无胆道狭窄。结论重视术前对胆囊病变程度的判断以及术中采取预防措施可减少中转开腹。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中转开腹原因分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)中转开腹的原因。方法 回顾性分析1998年4月～2002年3月本院LC术中转开腹病例的临床资料。结果 1368例LC中，中转开腹60例，中转率4．39％。中转开腹的原因：腹腔内及Calot三角粘连17例，急性胆囊炎或急性胆囊炎恢复期14例，胆囊癌2例，胆肠内瘘5例，胆总管结石2例，萎缩性胆囊炎6例，出血2例，胆道损伤2例，Minizi综合征2例，胆漏1例，黄色肉芽肿性胆囊炎1例，其它原因6例。结论 Colat三角解剖不清是LC中转开腹的主要原因，也与手术的技术水平和经验有关。     

Arterial surgery of the upper extremity

Over a 10-year period, 116 arterial operations in the upper extremity were performed. Sixteen patients had suffered from trauma, 52 from gross embolism, and 48 from chronic ischemia. The groups differ in age, duration of symptoms, and localization of the lesion. In patients with chronic ischemia, the most common lesion was a left-sided subclavian stenosis, with microembolization to the fingers as the most prevalent symptom. Several types of reconstructions were used with satisfactory results. One patient in each group underwent amputation. The mortality rate in the group of patients with gross embolization was high, both postoperatively and during follow-up.     

Noninvasive evaluation of the upper extremity

Vascular problems of the arm and hand can be assessed by a number of noninvasive modalities that are chosen on the basis of the history and physical examination. For suspected upper-extremity ischemia, we begin with SLPs and velocity-waveform analysis. The former test will define the extent and approximate location of the disease process, and subjective assessment of the waveform will further determine the degree and location of occlusive disease. When digital ischemia is suspected, the Doppler examination combined with intermittent compression of the radial and ulnar arteries is valuable for defining the variable arterial anatomy of the hand and the patency of the common and proper digital arteries. The extent of distal ischemia can be assessed by digital pressures. Duplex scanning has been found to be of value in determining the source of upper-extremity micro-emboli, in imaging suspected aneurysmal changes, and for evaluating arteriovenous fistulae and bypass grafts. Cold testing is used to confirm the diagnosis of Raynaud's disease after excluding proximal occlusive disease. When symptoms suggest intermittent arterial obstruction, arterial compression at the thoracic outlet is assessed by monitoring the arterial waveform during a series of maneuvers that change the anatomy of the outlet. Although a combination of IPG and venous Doppler examination accurately identifies venous occlusion, we routinely use duplex scanning in this setting. In addition to providing both anatomic and hemodynamic information about the subclavian vein, the jugular vein and the junction of the innominate vein can also be studied. Because of its ability to image in a coronal plane, MRI scanning is another nonivasive study that we have found useful for evaluation of venous anatomy and patency of the subclavian, jugular, and innominate veins. Venous thrombosis, often the first manifestation of subclavian vein compression at the thoracic inlet, is best evaluated using duplex scanning.     

An evaluation of the pedicled thoracoumbilical flap in upper extremity reconstruction

A pedicled thoracoumbilical flap was evaluated in 5 patients for upper limb reconstruction. The flap appears to be a reliable axial flap that can be elevated safely to the midaxillary line. It has the capacity to transfer a large amount of tissue, allowing the damaged limb, during the attached period, to be elevated and to receive physiotherapy. Although the working portion of the flap uses the thin, hairless skin over the lateral ribs, the base of the flap is thick and difficult to tube in all but the thinnest of individuals. The donor scar is much more conspicuous than that of a groin flap.     

腹腔镜与开放手术治疗上尿路移行细胞癌的对比研究

目的　评价联合尿道电切镜、腹膜后镜行肾输尿管切除术的临床效果。　方法　肾盂输尿管癌患者 4 4例 ,采用联合尿道电切镜、腹腔后镜行肾输尿管切除术 15例 (A组 ) ,开放性肾输尿管切除术 2 9例 (B组 )。对两组的临床疗效、术后恢复、费用及并发症等进行对比研究。　结果　A组术中出血量 (75 .1± 2 9.5 )ml、术后 (2 4 .1± 12 .6 )h肠功能恢复、(2 4 .3± 10 .5 )h下床活动、应用止痛药(3.0± 0 .8)d、静脉应用抗生素 (7.2± 3.1)d、术后住院 (6 .3± 1.2 )d、(2 8.0± 7.8)d恢复正常工作 ,明显优于B组 ,差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1或P <0 .0 5 )。B组手术时间、手术治疗费用、住院总费用优于A组 ,差异有显著性意义 (P均 <0 .0 1)。A组并发症明显少于B组。两组随访 14～ 36个月 ,均未见肿瘤复发。　结论　联合尿道电切镜、腹膜后镜肾输尿管切除术与开放手术相比 ,疗效相当 ,创伤小、痛苦少、术后恢复快、并发症少 ,费用较高。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除即刻中转开腹的原因及预防

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)中即刻中转开腹的术前、术中预防的措施.方法回顾性分析我院568例LC术中即刻中转开腹27例的中转开腹原因、操作方法和疗效.结果即刻中转开腹的原因有:胆囊与周围组织粘连紧密(1.4%)、胆囊严重急性炎症(0.9%)、Calot三角"冰冻样"粘连(0.9%)、大结石嵌顿于胆囊管近端(0.5%)、胆囊管畸形(0.4%)、脐下第一穿刺孔周围广泛粘连(0.4%)、胆囊窝出血不止(0.2%).中轻开腹手术无一例死亡,无术中、术后并发症.结论术前和术中采取预防措施可减少即刻中转开腹.     

An analysis of the ergonomic risk of surgical trainees and experienced surgeons during laparoscopic procedures

BackgroundWork-related musculoskeletal injuries have been increasingly recognized to affect surgeons. It is unknown whether such injuries also affect surgical trainees. The purpose of this study was to assess the ergonomic risk of surgical trainees as compared with that of experienced surgeons.MethodsErgonomic data were recorded from 9 surgeons and 11 trainees. Biomechanical loads during surgery were assessed using motion tracking sensors and electromyography sensors. Demanding and static positions of the trunk, neck, right/left shoulder, as well as activity from the deltoid and trapezius muscles bilaterally were recorded. In addition, participants reported their perceived discomfort on validated questionnaires.ResultsA total of 87 laparoscopic general surgery cases (48 attendings and 39 trainees) were observed. Both trainees and attendings spent a similarly high percentage of each case in static (>60%) and demanding positions (>5%). Even though residents reported overall more discomfort, all participants shared similar ergonomic risk with the exception of trainees’ trunk being more static (odds ratio: –11.42, P = .006).ConclusionSurgeons are prone to ergonomic risk. Trainees are exposed to similar postural ergonomic risk as surgeons but report more discomfort and, given that musculoskeletal injuries are cumulative over time, the focus should be on interventions to reduce ergonomic risk in the operating room.     

Automated high-frequency posture sampling for ergonomic assessment of laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread acknowledgement that strain injuries do occur to surgeons, ergonomic assessments in minimally invasive surgery are comparatively rare. Current assessment techniques rely on labor-intensive manual recording techniques, so there is a need for an automated system. METHODS: We used an optoelectronic measurement system to make postural measurements at frequencies of ~5 Hz and then converted these measurements to ergonomic stress scores using a modified Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. RESULTS: We successfully recorded postures at least once per second during 96% of the time the surgeon was performing tissue manipulation tasks. We found that the ergonomic stress scores were comparatively high throughout the procedure, particularly for the wrist. CONCLUSION: An automated high-frequency postural measurement system is feasible for making ergonomic assessments in an intraoperative setting. Such a system will also be a critical component in validating surgical simulations for use in training and credentialing surgeons and in designing and evaluating equipment.     

Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma: comparison of laparoscopic and open surgery

OBJECTIVES: We made a comparative study of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (LNU) and standard open surgery (ONU) for upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma. METHODS AND METHODS: From July 2000 to February 2005, 49 patients underwent total nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma at Osaka University Medical Hospital. Of the 49 patients, twenty-five were treated with LNU, and twenty-four with ONU. Each group of cases was reviewed with respect to operative time, complications and postoperative convalescence. RESULTS: The average operative time of the LNU and ONU group was 305.9 min (range 190-480) and 271.2 min (range 135-480) respectively, and the average blood loss was 321.5 ml (80-1370) and 557.7 ml (range 100-1730), respectively. The average time until ambulation after LNU and ONU was 2.2 days (range 1-3) and 4.0 days (range 3-5), respectively. No major postoperative complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: ONU still represents the gold standard for the management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma; however, for low stage cases, LNU offers the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.