Effect of forearm compression sleeve on muscle fatigue during robotic surgery: a randomized controlled study
10.7602/jmis.2025.28.1.11
- Author:
Shing Wai WONG
1
;
Allan PARKES
;
Ranah LIM
;
Mark MUHLMANN
;
Richard SAVDIE
;
Philip CROWE
Author Information
1. Department of General Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery
2025;28(1):11-18
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The aim of the study was to investigate whether wearing a forearm compression sleeve during robotic surgery (RS) reduces muscle fatigue.
Methods:A randomized controlled study of consecutive RS cases was performed with three right-handed surgeons randomly allocated to wear a non-graduated compression sleeve over either his right or left forearm. Hand-grip strength was assessed at the beginning and at the 2-hour mark during the robotic console component of surgery, using a handgrip dynamometer.The maximum strength (Fmax ) and mean grip strength (Fmean ) were calculated after 10 measurements. Effectiveness of the forearm sleeve was tested primarily by the difference in mean grip strength, and secondarily by the difference in fatigue ratio (Fmax /Fmean ) and recovery ratio at the two time points.
Results:Thirty-two robotic cases were performed during the study period. Wearing of a compression sleeve (compared with no sleeve) on the left forearm resulted in an increase (rather than a decrease) in mean hand-grip strength after 2 hours of RS (0.5 kg increase vs.1.3 kg decrease, p = 0.03; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–∞). Wearing a compression sleeve (compared with no sleeve) on the right forearm did not result in an improvement in grip strength reduction (1.7 kg decrease vs. 1.1 kg decrease, p = 0.79).
Conclusion:There was a statistically significant reduction in muscle fatigue with wearing a forearm compression sleeve on the nondominant left forearm during RS.
