Page 56 - World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery

Gurvinder Kaur

TABLE 4: Comfort levels as stated by surgeons

Height of subject (cm) OR table height (cm) and grade of comfort level
65 70 75 80 85 90
147 A B B C D D
150 A B B B C D
151 A B B C C D
155 B A B C C D
156 B A B B C D
160 B B A B C D
160 B B A B C D
161 C B A B C D
163 C B A B C D
164 C B A B C D
165 C C B A B C
165 C C B A B C
166 C C B A B C
167 C B B A B C
167 C C B A B C
168 C C B A B C
168 C C B A B C
170 B B B A B C
171 C C B B A B
172 C C B B A B
173 C C B B A B
174 C C B B A B
178 D C C B B A
180 D C C B B A
182 D C C B B A

from 165 to 170 cm height were comfortable during the task operating table was not specified. Further more the hands should
performance at 80 cm OR table height. For 171 to 178 cm subject be positioned at the level of the elbow with the forearm in a
height the comfortable height was defined at 85 cm. While (180- horizontal position.
182 cm height of subjects observed comfort level at 90 cm OR Secondly, the video stills taken during the task performance
table height. For lower table height many subjects had to tilt on for the joint movements of the upper extremities is a reliable
one side and bend forward to compensate the low instrument method as the interpretation of the abduction angle of shoulder
position. At this height the flexion of the spinal column shows joint and angle of elbow joint, the flexion and ulnar deviation of
higher discomfort and difficulty though the upper arm muscle wrist joint during the task performance and examined jointly by
is working at low level. Thus, the optimum working height of a the two persons and the angles are measured using the set
surgeon is a compromise between the position of the spinal square scale. The result show that at lower OR table height for
column and the arm position with the resultant fatigue of the corresponding height of the surgeon there was less comfort
respective antagonist muscle. A higher OR table is also not with abduction of shoulder joint ( 0 degree) and flexion of elbow
good because then is increased abduction of shoulder combined joint 150 degree.
with flexion and ulnar deviation of the wrist. This causes fatigue At higher OR table height in respect to the surgeon height
of the wrist joints. there was discomfort of the upper extremities with the starting
Berguer recently recommended adjusting the operating table of abduction of shoulder joint (> 45 degree) with flexion of
so that the height of the prone patient is at the level of the elbow joint < 30 degree and ulnar deviation of wrist joint. At
surgeon’s upper thigh. The minimum vertical range of the still higher OR table height there was uncomfort when the task

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