The ergonomic impact of patient body mass index on surgeon posture during simulated laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a cornerstone of modern surgical care, with clear advantages for the patients. However, it has also been associated inducing upper body musculoskeletal disorders amongst surgeons due to their propensity assume non-neutral postures. Further, there perception that patients high mass indexes (BMI) exacerbate these factors. Therefore, surgeon postures were objectively quantified using inertial measurement units and LUBA ergonomic framework was used assess posture during laparoscopic training on patient models simulated BMIs 20, 30, 40 50 kg/m2. In all significantly worsened surgery BMI kg/m2 model as compared baseline 20 These findings suggest performing increases prevalence may further increase risk in surgeons.