Exposure of Surgeons to Magnetic Fields during Laparoscopic and Robotic Gynecologic Surgeries

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare levels of extremely-low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure to surgeons during laparoscopic and robotic gynecologic surgeries.

DESIGN: Prospective case-control study.

DESIGN CLASSIFICATION: Canadian Task Force I.

SETTING: Gynecologic surgeries at the Yonsei University Health System in Seoul, Korea from July to October in 2014.

PATIENTS: Ten laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries and 10 robotic gynecologic surgeries.

INTERVENTION: The intensity of ELF-MF exposure to surgeons was measured every 4 seconds during 10 laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries and 10 robotic gynecologic surgeries using portable ELF-MF measuring devices with logging capability.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean ELF-MF exposures were .1 ± .1 mG for laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries and .3 ± .1 mG for robotic gynecologic surgeries. ELF-MF exposure levels to surgeons during robotic gynecologic surgery were significantly higher than those during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery (p < .001) after adjustment for duration of measurement.

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated low levels of ELF-MF exposure to surgeons during robotic gynecologic surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery, hoping to alleviate concerns regarding the hazards of MF exposure posed to surgeons and hospital staff.