Gender equity in surgical instruments: ergonomics of ring-handled forceps

Abstract

Introduction

Female surgeons have ergonomic issues with commercialized instruments tailored for male surgeons. The purpose of this study was to identify satisfaction levels and ergonomic problems of female surgeons while using laparoscopic forceps with ring-handles and suggest improvement measures.

Material and methods

A questionnaire was sent to 19,405 members of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery via email between 1 August 2022 and 30 September 2022. It included demographic information and specific questions regarding the use of laparoscopic forceps with ring- handles (ergonomic evaluation, influence of the negative aspects of laparoscopic forceps during surgery, physical discomfort in the hands and fingers, degree of satisfaction, and handle size).

Results

Valid responses were received from 1,030 respondents (131 female and 899 male surgeons). The ergonomics of the laparoscopic forceps with ring-handles were rated lower by female surgeons in all ten categories (all p value < 0.05). They also reported a negative impact on surgical manipulation and discomfort to their hands and fingers.

Conclusions

Female surgeons had a wide variety of ergonomic problems when using laparoscopic forceps with ring-handles, and showed lower levels of satisfaction. Developing a different model tailored to female surgeons with smaller hands and a weaker grip could be a viable solution.

Keywords:

• ergonomics
• gender equity
• minimally invasive surgery
• surgical instruments

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Gender Equality and Inclusion Committee of The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery.

Declaration of interest

Emiko Kono reports consulting fees from Olympus Corporation, Covidien Japan Inc., Karl Storz SE & Co.KG, Tuttlingen and FAST RETAILING CO., LTD. and payment for lecture from Johnson & Johnson K. K. Sachiyo Nomura reports grants from JCR Pharma Co. Ltd., and Nobel Pharma Co. Ltd., Kae Okoshi reports personal fees from Stryker Japan K.K., Johnson & Johnson K. K., Amco Inc., TSUMURA & CO., CONMED Japan KK, Meilleur Inc., and TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. Yuko Kitagawa reports grants from ASAHI KASEI PHARMA CORPORATION, ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc. Nippon Covidien Inc., TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD, CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., KAKEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., TSUMURA & CO., Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED., Cardinal Health., Kowa Company, Ltd., SYSMEX CORPORATION, and Medicaroid Corporation; and personal fees from ASAHI KASEI PHARMA CORPORATION, AstraZeneca KK., Ethicon Inc., ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory Inc., Olympus Corporation, Cardinal Health K.K., SHIONOGI & CO., LTD., TAIHO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD, CHUGAI PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., MSD K.K., Smith & Nephew KK, KAKEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., MIYARINSAN PHARMACEUTICAL CO. LTD., Toray Industries, Inc., DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED, Chugai Foundation for Innovative Drug Discovery Science, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Intuitive Surgical G.K., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, SYSMEX CORPORATION, and TSUMURA & CO. Takashi Sakamoto, Chie Tanaka, Ken Shirabe and Sang-Woong Lee declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this study.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Public Resources Foundation.