title: Patient exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields during laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries require many electronic devices, and the hazard of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) from these devices to humans remains uncertain. This study aimed to measure and compare patients' exposure levels to ELF-MFs in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intensity of ELF-MF exposure to patients was measured every 10 s during 30 laparoscopic surgeries and 30 robotic surgeries using portable ELF-MF measuring devices with logging capabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ELF-MF exposures were 0.11 ± 0.07 μT for laparoscopic surgeries and 0.12 ± 0.10 μT for robotic surgeries. There were no significant differences between the laparoscopic and robotic surgeries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' mean ELF-MF exposure levels in laparoscopic and robotic surgeries were lower than 0.2 μT, which is considered safe according to previous studies. However, because many medical devices have been implemented for multiple purposes in hospitals, the MF environment in hospitals regarding patient health should not be overlooked. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jai Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jee Soo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Beom
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Graduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Deok Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D060526:Magnetic Fields; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: da Vinci surgical system; laparoscopic surgery; magnetic field; patients; robotic surgery