Physical and Mental Impact of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy on the Surgeon: French vs. American Positions. A Randomized and Controlled Study.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the physical and mental impact on the primary surgeon, by the patient's and surgical staff's dispositions at the operating table, during laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized and controlled study that included 18 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy procedures performed by two surgeons in a private and academic hospital. The cases were randomized for the American or French position. After surgery, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and the Body Part Discomfort (BPD) scales were applied to the primary surgeon. RESULTS: An increased workload and more discomfort were reported when using the French position. The NASA-TLX was 28 ± 8 vs. 57 ± 18 (p = 0.001), and the BPD was 2 vs. 8 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The American position resulted in a lower physical and mental impact on the surgeon when performing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.