Intraoperative Support Exoskeleton May Improve Surgeons’ Pain and Posture

Kim JY, Norasi H, Cassivi SD, Black DM, Hallbeck MS. Use of an Intraoperative Head, Neck, and Back Support Exoskeleton on Surgeons' Pain and Posture. Ann Surg. 2025.

Surgeons who perform laparoscopic and open abdominal operations are at risk for neck pain, back pain, and long-term spinal symptoms due to stresses experienced from skeletal positioning during these procedures. Data cited in the article showed that more than 40% of surgeons reported neck and back pain following abdominal operations.

The authors tested the NekSpine™ support device; twelve surgeons used the device in four procedures and symptoms were evaluated with standard indices. Surgeon comfort and satisfaction with device were also assessed. Outcomes were compared with four procedures performed by the same surgeons in which the support device was not used.

The data showed that levels of discomfort, fatigue, and disruptions of surgery were significantly lower in the procedures where the support was used. There were occasional difficulties with positioning headlights and magnification eyeglasses, but these were minor problems.

The authors concluded that the support device had potential value for reducing skeletal symptoms due to intraoperative positioning.