Improvement of the laparoscopic needle holder based on new ergonomic guidelines

Background: The aim of this study is to create new ergonomic guidelines for the design of laparoscopic needle holders. Methods: An ergonomic literature study, observations in the operating room.. handle-shaft angle measurements, and anthroporrietric data were used to compile new ergonomic criteria, specified to the function of a laparoscopic needle holder. Based on these guidelines a new needle holder was designed. The prototype and three currently available needle holders were evaluated according to the new guidelines. In addition, a pelvi-trainer test was done to measure the extreme wrist excursions. Results: The ergonomic evaluation of three commonly used handles and the new prototype indicate that the new handle is an ergonomic improvement in the field of laparoscopic needle holders: only the new handle satisfies all criteria. This is validated by the results of the pelvi-trainer test, which showed that the new prototype significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the extreme wrist excursions. Conclusion: The new design guidelines for a laparoscopic needle holder result in an ergonomic improvement of the instrument.