Page 55 - World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery

Role of OT Table Height on the Task Performance of Minimal Access Surgery

Contd...

OT Table Abduction Angle of Flexion of Observation
Height (cm) Shoulder Elbow and wrist
80 C = Discomfort starting of
abduction of shoulder joint,
increasing flexion of elbow joint,
flexion and ulnar deviation of wrist
joint

45 o 115 o
85 C = Discomfort starting of
abduction of shoulder joint,
increasing flexion of elbow joint,
flexion and ulnar deviation of wrist
joint

60 o 105 o
90 D = Uncomfort complementary
increased abduction of shoulder
o
joint 75 increased flexion and
ulnar deviation of wrist joint

75 o Angle cannot be calculated
from side (awkward position)

90 cm for the particular surgeon height there was uncomfort felt movements of the shoulders, arms and wrist during
by surgeon during task performance. This was compensated laparoscopy. The fixed position of the trocars and the scope in
by the complementary increased abduction of shoulder joint the abdominal wall require the surgeon to move the upper
(75 degree) and then elbow joint was straightened, also there extremities into making longer external arc of movements with
was increased flexion and ulnar deviation of wrist joint. long awkward positions manipulating the tissues at different
The different grades of comfort level as stated by the angles inside the abdomen. 3
surgeon during the task performance at the six different OR This study was carried out to define the ergonomically
table height is shown in (Table 4). The result of the objective optimal OR table height which will suit the particular height of
evaluation with video analysis co-relate with the subjective the surgeon performing laparoscopic surgery. Unfortunately
assessment of the comfort level of the subjects (questionnaire) most of the OR table available in the laparoscopic theater is
working at the particular vertical height of the OR table. made for open surgery and it becomes inconvenient to use
The height of the operating table varies in relation to the during laparoscopic surgery. The endo-trainer used during the
surgeon’s level of comfort for task performance. study represents the manipulation done in the dissection phase
of an operation.
The results of study show that subject height in the range
DISCUSSION
of 147 to 151 cm were comfortable at 65 cm OR table height
The operating room (OR) table height is one of the important while subjects of 152 to 156 cm expressed their comfort at 70 cm.
factors deciding the ergonomics of the laparoscopic surgery. For 160 to 164 cm surgeon height the comfort level of OR table
The height of the table has an effect on the upper joint height was 75 cm. The maximum number of subjects ranged

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