A novel safety mechanism to reduce the risk of inadvertent electrosurgical injury.
Thousands of laparoscopic procedures requiring the use of electrosurgical devices are performed worldwide on a daily basis. The use of electrosurgery carries with it inherent risks related to the use of an energy source within the abdomen. Inadvertent tissue injury due to the use of electrosurgical devices is rare, but is associated with a high morbidity and mortality if undetected. This paper describes a novel, yet simple method using instrument markers and image processing algorithms to reduce the risk of unsafe activation of electrosurgical instruments during laparoscopy. The method was tested in a simulated environment and measured against the decision of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Results showed that the position of an instrument in a visual field could be accurately determined using an image processing algorithm to ascertain whether it was safe for activation in agreement with the decisions made by manual inspection.
a Institute of Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University College London , London , UK ;
Bernard Hendrik
BH
van Duren
b Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust , High Wycombe , UK ;
Gijsbert Isaac
GI
van Boxel
a Institute of Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Sciences, University College London , London , UK ;
Alister
A
Hart
c University College Hospital , London , UK.
Nick
N
Newton
D000465:Algorithms; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D061214:Patient Safety
Laparoscopic surgery; diathermy; diathermy burn; electrosurgery; electrosurgical injury