A Survey of Surgeon Interest in Individually Sized Laparoscopic Instruments

Abstract

Objectives: Allowing surgeons the option of individually sized laparoscopic instruments can potentially improve the ergonomics of laparoscopic surgery. We investigate interest in individually sized laparoscopic instruments among minimally invasive trained surgeons. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 166 surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery in the disciplines of obstetrics/gynecology, general surgery, and urology. Items investigated surgeon knowledge, attitudes, potential usefulness, and interest regarding dissemination and implementation of individually sized laparoscopic instruments. Results: Overall mean knowledge of individually sized laparoscopic instruments ranged from strongly disagree to disagree and did not differ by glove size. Overall mean attitudes, dissemination, and implementation for individually sized laparoscopic instruments were between neutral and agree. Overall mean usefulness for individually sized laparoscopic instruments was neutral. There was a general pattern of small glove size having greater mean values than medium glove size for individually sized laparoscopic instruments for the topics of attitudes, usefulness, dissemination, and implementation. Conclusion: We found that those with small glove sizes are interested in individually sized laparoscopic instruments. We recommend that as surgeon demographics continue to diversify, especially with a larger number of women typically with smaller glove sizes becoming surgeons, there is a potential benefit for individually sized laparoscopic instruments. Hospitals, surgical centers, and clinical practices should consider making such individually sized laparoscopic instruments available to surgeons. This can potentially address the ergonomic concerns of surgeons and also improve surgical practice.