J Minim Invasive Surg.  2025 Mar;28(1):11-18. 10.7602/jmis.2025.28.1.11.

Effect of forearm compression sleeve on muscle fatigue during robotic surgery: a randomized controlled study

• Wong SW
• Parkes A
• Lim R
• Muhlmann M
• Savdie R
• Crowe P

• KMID: 2565900
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7602/jmis.2025.28.1.11

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 (F_max ) and mean grip strength (F_mean ) 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 (F_max /F_mean ) 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.

Keyword

Arm; Fatigue; Robotic surgical procedures; Ergonomics