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Differences in hand movements and task completion times between laparoscopic, robotically assisted, and open surgery: an in vitro study

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Abstract

Surgical dexterity depends on economy and precision of movements, and this can be objectively measured using electromagnetic motion analysis. We have assessed the differences in hand movements and task completion times between open, laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery during an exercise performed in vitro. A standard surgical exercise was performed using open, standard laparoscopic (SL) and robotically assisted laparoscopic (RAL) approaches. The total duration of the exercise was studied along with the number and duration of movements required to complete the exercise in each surgical modality. The time taken to complete the exercise was significantly longer in both the SL and RAL approaches when compared to the open route. However, it was found that RAL had significantly decreased number of movements (mean difference = 24 movements, P < 0.006) but a longer duration of each movement when compared to SL (mean difference = 0.13 s, P < 0.001). This study shows objectively that the exercise took longer to complete using the RAL approach than the standard open approach. However, RAL had more purposeful movements and required fewer movements to complete the exercise compared to SL.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Tony Ritchie (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for training and for assistance in setting up the study and data collection.

Conflict of interest

Thomas Ind and John Shepherd have received training in robotic surgery which was funded by Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA, USA). The study did not require any external funding.

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This study did not involve human or animal subjects, or medical records.

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Correspondence to Latha Balasubramani.

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Balasubramani, L., Milliken, D.A., Shepherd, J.H. et al. Differences in hand movements and task completion times between laparoscopic, robotically assisted, and open surgery: an in vitro study. J Robotic Surg 5, 137–140 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-011-0248-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-011-0248-9

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