Comparison of efficiencies of three techniques for colon surgery

Purpose: To determine the most efficient technique for performing a colectomy, we used the methodology of time-motion analysis. Methods: The efficiency of five hand-assisted and six regular laparoscopic colectomies and one open colectomy, performed by four surgeons in three different hospitals, was measured. The open colectomy was analyzed as a reference procedure. Results and Conclusions: The hand-assisted laparoscopic technique was the most efficient. Hand-assisted laparoscopy was therefore less time consuming than laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery was the fastest technique, because the time for every surgical motion is a factor of three shorter than for the two laparoscopic techniques.