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SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL IMPACT OF A
COMPLEX SURGICAL TASK ON SURGEONS: COMPARISON BETWEEN
ROBOTIC ASSISTED, LAPAROSCOPIC AND OPEN TECHNIQUES.
Dr Prokar Dasgupta Department of Urology, Guy's Hospital, London |
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Robotic surgery has been shown to be beneficial in treating patients with prostate cancer compared to keyhole surgery. In this project we are assessing the effect of robotic technology on the surgeon and comparing it to keyhole surgery and conventional open surgery.
We have devised a laboratory imitation of an operation to remove a cancerous prostate – one of the crucial steps of a prostatectomy.
The imitations, performed by expert volunteer surgeons, are evaluated for accuracy and for fatigue. In the early stage of the project we designed the imitations and developed reliable ways to study both physiological and mental fatigue of the surgeon.
Figure 1. Surgeon in gait lab performing a simulated suturing task wearing emg and motion caption markers.
This novel concept forms an essential aspect of the evaluation of the robotic technology used to treat prostate cancer. Indeed, if this is proven to be easier and more surgeon friendly then the overall beneficiary will be the patient.
Summary interim report, 01 February 2008.
Project 2006/03