Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41543778›Full record

ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2026

Ergonomic evaluation of the Senhance® robotic system in minimally invasive gynecologic procedures versus conventional laparoscopy: an exploratory study focusing on surgeon's muscle activity.

Bernhard Krämer, Jürgen Andress, Leonhard Wohlmeiner, Robert Seibt, Benjamin Steinhilber

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Bernhard Krämer *Department of Women's Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7/6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Jürgen Andress *Department of Women's Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7/6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Leonhard WohlmeinerInstitute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
Robert SeibtInstitute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
Benjamin SteinhilberInstitute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, University Hospital Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany. benjamin.steinhilber@med.uni-tuebingen.de.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePrimary: To evaluate whether robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery using the Senhance® Surgical System has the potential to reduce muscular demands compared to conventional laparoscopy. Secondary: To verify that the novel eye-tracking feature for zoom and the selection of functions in the Senhance® System menu is not associated with increased eyestrain or neck strain.

methodsIn a within-subject design, 2 experienced surgeons performed 11 robot-assisted and 12 conventional laparoscopic procedures. Muscular demands were monitored throughout surgical procedures by assessing the muscle activity via bipolar surface electromyography of seven muscles of the lower back, shoulder-neck, and forearms. Surgeons' head, arm, and torso posture was assessed by gravimetrical position sensors. Furthermore, musculoskeletal discomfort, mental and physical workload, task difficulty and working precision were rated by the surgeons. In addition, a ten-item eyestrain questionnaire was administered after each surgical procedure.

resultsFour out of seven muscles were relieved when working with Senhance®. Only in the left shoulder-neck area there was a statistically significant increase in muscle activation associated with robotic-assisted surgery. Changes in surgeons' posture related to the surgical technique corresponded to the changes in muscle activation. Furthermore, surgeons reported no musculoskeletal discomfort under both conditions and similar levels of workload (mental and physical), and task difficulty. Working precision was subjectively rated to be better during standard laparoscopy. No eyestrain occurred during any of the procedures.

conclusionThis exploratory study identified the potential of the Senhance® Surgical System for ergonomic improvements and indicated no impairments by the novel eye-tracking feature on muscle demands and eyestrain. Follow-up studies with larger and more diverse indications are needed that also consider clinical outcomes, which were not part of the present study.

Indexed as

ErgonomicsGynecologic Surgical ProceduresLaparoscopyMuscle, SkeletalRobotic Surgical ProceduresSurgeonsAdultElectromyographyFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPostureErgonomicsMusculoskeletal discomfortRobotic-assisted surgeryStatic muscle demandsSurface electromyographyWork-related musculoskeletal disorders

Identifiers

PMID41543778
PMCPMC12811308

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.